Psalms 41:13

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 41:13 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Blessed be Jehovah, the God of Israel, From everlasting and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen. Book II Psalm 42 For the Chief Musician. Maschil of the sons of Korah.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Blessed be Jehovah, the God of Israel, From everlasting and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen. Book II Psalm 42 For the Chief Musician. Maschil of the sons of Korah.
Psalms 41:13 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 41

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
13Blessed be Jehovah, the God of Israel, From everlasting and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen. Book II Psalm 42 For the Chief Musician. Maschil of the sons of Korah.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Blessed [be] the Lord God of Israel, etc.] Which is said, either by the Messiah, on account of the delight his Father had in him; the favour he had shown him in raising him from the dead, maintaining his innocence, and exalting him at his own right hand; and for all the blessings of grace the whole Israel of God enjoyed through him: or else by the church, who is meant by Israel, the Lord is the God of in a covenant way; who, hearing such things done to her Lord and head, breaks out into an exclamation of praise, and ascribes blessing and glory to God for them, which is due to him; from everlasting, and to everlasting; that is, throughout all ages, world without end, (<490321>Ephesians 3:21).…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Blessed--praised, usually applied to God. The word usually applied to men denotes happiness (Psa 1:1; Psa 32:1). With this doxology the first book closes. Next: Psalms Chapter 42”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel - That is, Let the Lord God of Israel be praised, honored, adored. The language is an expression of desire that all honor, all happiness, might be His. It is a recognition of God as the source of the mercies referred to, and an expression of the feeling that he is entitled to universal praise. The word Israel here refers to the people of God as descended from Jacob or Israel. From everlasting, and to everlasting - Through eternity, or eternal ages, - from all past duration to all future duration. The expression “from everlasting to everlasting,” would embrace eternity; and the idea is that God is deserving of eternal praise. Amen, and amen - The word “amen”…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Amen - Signifies an hearty assent and approbation, and withal an earnest desire of the thing, to which it is annexed. And as the psalms are divided into five books, so each of them is closed with this word; the first here: the second, Psa 72:19, the third, Psa 89:52, the fourth, Psa 106:48, the last in the end of Psa 150:6, the doubling of the word shews the fervency of his spirit, in this work of praising God. Next: Psalms Chapter 42”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“41:13 This doxology closes Book One (Pss 1–41). Cp. 106:48.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Blessed: Psa 72:18, Psa 72:19, Psa 89:52, Psa 106:48; Ch1 29:10; Eph 1:3; Rev 4:8, Rev 5:9-14, Rev 7:12; Rev 11:17 Amen: The LXX and Vulgate render Γενοιτο, γενοιτο, Fiat, fiat. So be it! So be it! With this psalm ends the first of the five books into which the Hebrews have divided the Psalms. Num 5:22; Deu 27:15-26; Kg1 1:36; Ch1 16:36; Jer 28:6; Mat 6:13; Co1 14:16; Rev 22:20 Next: Psalms Chapter 42”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“(Heb.: 41:14) The closing doxology of the First Book, vid., Introduction. Concerning בּרוּך vid., Psa 18:47. The expression "from aeon to aeon" is, according to Berachoth ix. 5, directed against those who deny the truth of the future world. אמן ואמן (a double aleethe's or aleethoo's) seals it in a climactic form. Next: Psalms Chapter 42”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification