41 1 David being grievously afflicted, blesseth them that pity his case, 9 and complaineth of the treason of his own friends and familiars, as came to pass in Judas, John 13:18.  After he feeling the great mercies of God gently chastising him, and not suffering his enemies to triumph against him, 13 giveth most hearty thanks to God.

To him that excelleth. A Psalm of David.

Blessed is he that [a]judgeth wisely of the poor: the Lord shall deliver him in the time of trouble.

The Lord will keep him and preserve him alive, he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies.

The Lord will strengthen him upon the [b]bed of sorrow: thou hast turned all his [c]bed in his sickness.

Therefore I said, Lord have mercy upon me: heal my soul, for I have sinned against thee.

Mine enemies [d]speak evil of me, saying, When shall he die, and his name perish?

And if he come to see me, he speaketh [e]lies, but his heart heapeth iniquity within him, and when he cometh forth, he telleth it.

All they that hate me whisper together against me: even against me do they imagine mine hurt.

[f]A mischief is light upon him, and he that lieth, shall no more rise.

Yea, my [g]familiar friend, whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, [h]hath lifted up the heel against me.

10 Therefore, O Lord, have mercy upon me, and raise me up: so shall I reward them.

11 By this I know that thou favorest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph against me.

12 And as for me thou upholdest me [i]in mine integrity, and dost set me before thy [j]face forever.

13 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel world without end. [k]So be it, even so be it.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 41:1 Not condemning him as accursed whom God doth visit, knowing that there are divers causes why God layeth his hand upon us, yea and afterward he restoreth us.
  2. Psalm 41:3 When for sorrow and grief of mind he calleth himself upon his bed.
  3. Psalm 41:3 Thou hast restored him in his sick bed and sent him comfort.
  4. Psalm 41:5 That is, curse me and cannot have their cruel hate quenched, but with my shameful death.
  5. Psalm 41:6 For pretending to comfort me, he conspireth my death in his heart, and braggeth thereof.
  6. Psalm 41:8 The enemies thought by his sharp punishments that God was become his mortal enemy.
  7. Psalm 41:9 Hebrew, the man of my peace.
  8. Psalm 41:9 As David felt this falsehood, and as it was chiefly accomplished in Christ, John 13:18, so shall his members continually prove the same.
  9. Psalm 41:12 Meaning, either in prosperity of life, or in the true fear of God against all tentations.
  10. Psalm 41:12 Showing me evident signs of thy fatherly providence.
  11. Psalm 41:13 By this repetition he stirreth up the faithful to praise God.

Psalm 41[a]

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

Blessed(A) are those who have regard for the weak;(B)
    the Lord delivers them in times of trouble.(C)
The Lord protects(D) and preserves them—(E)
    they are counted among the blessed in the land—(F)
    he does not give them over to the desire of their foes.(G)
The Lord sustains them on their sickbed(H)
    and restores them from their bed of illness.(I)

I said, “Have mercy(J) on me, Lord;
    heal(K) me, for I have sinned(L) against you.”
My enemies say of me in malice,
    “When will he die and his name perish?(M)
When one of them comes to see me,
    he speaks falsely,(N) while his heart gathers slander;(O)
    then he goes out and spreads(P) it around.

All my enemies whisper together(Q) against me;
    they imagine the worst for me, saying,
“A vile disease has afflicted him;
    he will never get up(R) from the place where he lies.”
Even my close friend,(S)
    someone I trusted,
one who shared my bread,
    has turned[b] against me.(T)

10 But may you have mercy(U) on me, Lord;
    raise me up,(V) that I may repay(W) them.
11 I know that you are pleased with me,(X)
    for my enemy does not triumph over me.(Y)
12 Because of my integrity(Z) you uphold me(AA)
    and set me in your presence forever.(AB)

13 Praise(AC) be to the Lord, the God of Israel,(AD)
    from everlasting to everlasting.
Amen and Amen.(AE)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 41:1 In Hebrew texts 41:1-13 is numbered 41:2-14.
  2. Psalm 41:9 Hebrew has lifted up his heel