By this I know that You are well pleased with me, Because my enemy does not triumph over me. 41:11
This psalm teaches that God will bless the merciful, even taking vengeance on their malicious enemies. God remains faithful and merits praise. This poem of David speaks of the plight of a person suffering from serious physical illness. Ultimately, it presents the victory of the Savior Jesus over His enemies, especially the great enemy Satan.
41:1 Blessed is the same word that begins in Ps. 1. The same word introduces the first and last psalms of Book 1. When the verb blessed is used with God as its object (as in v. 13), it serves as a word of praise. To bless God is to identify Him as the source of our blessings. The poor refers not only to those who do not have enough money, but also to those who suffer illness or misfortune through no fault of their own. For such persons, God is Defender, Deliverer, and Sustainer.
1 To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. Blessed is he who considers the poor; The Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.
41:4 for I have sinned: This is David’s general acknowledgement of sin and the need for God’s forgiveness and restoration (1 John 1:9).
** How many times David says this!
4 I said, “Lord, be merciful to me; Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You.”
41:9 Familiar friend describes a close, intimate relationship. The outrage of betrayal by one so close is nearly unbearable. The fulfillment of this verse in the experience of Jesus and Judas is remarkable. Not only did the two eats a meal together, but Jesus also called Judas a “friend” at the moment of betrayal. Moreover, Jesus quoted this verse, noting its fulfillment in Judas (John 13:18).
9 Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me.
18 “I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats [c]bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.’ John 13:18
41:10-12 Raise me up was David’s prayer for healing from the disease that had him bedridden. In another sense, these words look forward to Jesus’ resurrection. Does not triumph: The failure of David’s enemy to destroy his life was an indicator of God’s pleasure in David’s life. My integrity: These words suggest that it is the righteous person who is suffering in this psalm, not an unrepentant sinner. Before your face forever: David prays not only for a long life on earth, but also for eternal life in God’s presence. His ultimate hope is to glorify and praise God in His presence forever.
But You, O Lord, be merciful to me, and raise me up, That I may repay them. 11 By this I know that You are well pleased with me, Because my enemy does not triumph over me. 12 As for me, You uphold me in my integrity, And set me before Your face forever.
41:13 Blessed: This psalm begins with a blessing of God on the righteous; it ends with the righteous blessing their Lord. The word here for blessed is different from the word in v. 1. Here is the word identifies the Lord as the source of our blessing. The word Amen, meaning “surely” and “let it be,” is an affirmation of faith in God. The repetition of the word parallels the repetition of the word everlasting and expresses enthusiastic agreement with the praise in the psalm.
13 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel From everlasting to everlasting! Amen and Amen.
The Blessing and Suffering of the Godly
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
41 Blessed is he who considers the [a]poor;
The Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.
2 The Lord will preserve him and keep him alive,
And he will be blessed on the earth;
You will not deliver him to the will of his enemies.
3 The Lord will strengthen him on his bed of illness;
You will [b]sustain him on his sickbed.
4 I said, “Lord, be merciful to me;
Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You.”
5 My enemies speak evil of me:
“When will he die, and his name perish?”
6 And if he comes to see me, he speaks [c]lies;
His heart gathers iniquity to itself;
When he goes out, he tells it.
7 All who hate me whisper together against me;
Against me they [d]devise my hurt.
8 “An[e] evil disease,” they say, “clings to him.
And now that he lies down, he will rise up no more.”
9 Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted,
Who ate my bread,
Has [f]lifted up his heel against me.
10 But You, O Lord, be merciful to me, and raise me up,
That I may repay them.
11 By this I know that You are well pleased with me,
Because my enemy does not triumph over me.
12 As for me, You uphold me in my integrity,
And set me before Your face forever.
13 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel
From everlasting to everlasting!
Amen and Amen.
