Psalms 41

Psalm 41#sn Psalm 41. The psalmist is confident (vv. 11-12) that the Lord has heard his request to be healed (vv. 4-10), and he anticipates the joy he will experience when the Lord intervenes (vv. 1-3). One must assume that the psalmist is responding to a divine oracle of assurance (see P. C. Craigie, Psalms 1-50 [WBC], 319-20). The final verse is a fitting conclusion to this psalm, but it is also serves as a fitting conclusion to the first “book” (or major editorial division) of the Psalter. Similar statements appear at or near the end of each of the second, third, and fourth “books” of the Psalter (see Pss 72:19, 89:52, and 106:48 respectively).

For the music director; a psalm of David.

1How blessed is the one who treats the poor properly! When trouble comes, the Lord delivers him.

2May the Lord protect him and save his life! May he be blessed in the land! Do not turn him over to his enemies!

3The Lord supports him on his sickbed; you completely heal him from his illness.

4As for me, I said: “O Lord, have mercy on me! Heal me, for I have sinned against you!

5My enemies ask this cruel question about me, ‘When will he finally die and be forgotten?’

6When someone comes to visit, he pretends to be friendly; he thinks of ways to defame me, and when he leaves he slanders me.

7All who hate me whisper insults about me to one another; they plan ways to harm me.

8They say, ‘An awful disease overwhelms him, and now that he is bed-ridden he will never recover.’

9Even my close friend whom I trusted, he who shared meals with me, has turned against me.

10As for you, O Lord, have mercy on me and raise me up, so I can pay them back!”

11By this I know that you are pleased with me, for my enemy does not triumph over me.

12As for me, you uphold me because of my integrity; you allow me permanent access to your presence.

13The Lord God of Israel deserves praise in the future and forevermore! We agree! We agree!