Psalms 41:1-13
1 Blessed is he that considereth the poor:a the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.
2 The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies.
3 The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt makeb all his bed in his sickness.
4 I said, LORD, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee.
5 Mine enemies speak evil of me, When shall he die, and his name perish?
6 And if he come to see me, he speaketh vanity: his heart gathereth iniquity to itself; when he goeth abroad, he telleth it.
7 All that hate me whisper together against me: against me do they devise my hurt.
8 An evil disease, say they, cleaveth fast unto him: and now that he lieth he shall rise up no more.
9 Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.
10 But thou, O LORD, be merciful unto me, and raise me up, that I may requite them.
11 By this I know that thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me.
12 And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever.
13 Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen.
Contents: Prayer for relief from sickness and confession of sins.
Characters: God, David.
Conclusion: When we suffer in our reputation, our first concern should be about our integrity and we may then trust our reputation to God. His good will is sufficient to secure us from the ill will of all that hate us.
Key Word: Enemies, Psalms 41:5.
Strong Verses: Psalms 41:1.
Striking Facts: Psalms 41:9. Betrayal was one of the bitterest drops our Lord Jesus had to take. He applied this passage to Himself (John 18:18; John 18:26) as He gave Judas the sop. The believer need not think it strange if he receives abuses from trusted friends.