Psalm 41 is a lament psalm. In it, we’ll see David pronounce a blessing on those who consider the poor. Then he gives a lament that even though he does consider the poor, he himself is being mistreated and afflicted. Then he asks God to raise him up. He expresses confidence in God’s hearing him, and then ends this psalm with a praise. The believer who reaches out to the poor will experience God’s mercy in spite of personal failure, physical illness, opposition from enemies, and betrayal by friends. Furthermore, God’s mercy will extend beyond the believer’s earthly life into eternity. Written: About 1000 BC. Many of the Bible’s Psalms, which were written before the time of Jesus, contain details that foreshadowed events in the life of Jesus. In Psalm 41, for example, the psalmist wrote of being betrayed by a friend, someone close enough to have shared food with him (verse 9).

Psalm 41:1-13
{For the director of music. A psalm of David.}
Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the Lord delivers them in times of trouble. 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 them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness. I said, “Have mercy on me, Lord; heal me, for I have sinned against you.”My enemies say of me in malice, “When will he die and his name perish?” When one of them comes to see me, he speaks falsely, while his heart gathers slander; then he goes out and spreads it around. All my enemies whisper together against me; they imagine the worst for me, saying, “A vile disease has afflicted him; he will never get up from the place where he lies.” Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me. But may you have mercy on me, Lord; raise me up, that I may repay them. I know that you are pleased with me, for my enemy does not triumph over me. Because of my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever. Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen.