PSALM 41

CONSIDER

• David expressed his confidence that the Lord will show mercy to the merciful

• The merciful person is sensitive to those who are weak and aids them

• This quality, so richly displayed in God’s character, is pleasing to Him when He sees it in us

• David is sure God will deliver the merciful when they are in need of God’s mercy  <R1795>

NOTES BY VERSE

Note: each ** comment in this document is listed in numerical order according to the verse(s) from this chapter

** The Lord protects the weak from those wanting to take advantage of them

Psalm 41:1-2 NIV

[1] Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the Lord delivers them in times of trouble. [2] The Lord protects and preserves them---they are counted among the blessed in the land---he does not give them over to the desire of their foes.

** The Lord sustains those who are sick and can heal them from their sick bed if He chooses

Psalm 41:3 NIV

[3] The Lord sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness.

** Repentance is a crucial part of the salvation plan and we rely on God's mercy to heal us from our sin; this debunks the thinking that a person must 'get better' before coming to God

Psalm 41:4 NIV

[4] I said, “Have mercy on me, Lord; heal me, for I have sinned against you.”

** Our enemies want the worst for us, often deceitfully gathering information and then slandering us with it

Psalm 41:5-8 NIV

[5] My enemies say of me in malice, “When will he die and his name perish? ” [6] When one of them comes to see me, he speaks falsely, while his heart gathers slander; then he goes out and spreads it around. [7] All my enemies whisper together against me; they imagine the worst for me, saying, [8] “A vile disease has afflicted him; he will never get up from the place where he lies.”

** Our friends can turn on us but God will always be there when we call on Him

Psalm 41:9-10a NIV

[9] Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me. [10] But may you have mercy on me, Lord

** King David said a trusted friend would betray the Messiah. This would be a person so close they shared each other’s food. This is exactly what happened to Jesus. A thousand years after David made this prophecy, Jesus dipped His bread in a bowl and handed it to Judas. Judas took the bread and left to betray Jesus.  <G76>

Psalm 41:9 NIV

[9] Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me.

John 13:18,23-26 NIV

[18] “I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill this passage of Scripture: 'He who shared my bread has turned against me.' [23] One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. [24] Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, “Ask him which one he means.” [25] Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?” [26] Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.

** David understood the reciprocal relationship -- that God protected him from his enemies when he lived a life of integrity; conversely God punishes those who do not believe in Him and are disobedient to His Word

Psalm 41:11-12 NIV

[11] I know that you are pleased with me, for my enemy does not triumph over me. [12] Because of my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever.

Psalm 43:2 NIV

[2] You are God my stronghold. Why have you rejected me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?

2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 NIV

[8] He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. [9] They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might

** David praised our Lord who is eternal

Psalm 41:13 NIV

[13] Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen.