Psalms 41:1-13 - Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

Bible Comments

“Lord, Heal My Soul”

Psalms 41:1-13

This psalm was probably composed, with the adjacent ones, during the four years in which Absalom's conspiracy was being hatched. Perhaps the anxiety thus caused induced some serious illness, over which David's enemies exulted with unseemly glee. His sensitive nature was evidently greatly pained. But who does not realize the applicability of the psalm to the betrayal of our Lord? Psalms 41:9 is quoted in John 13:18.

In the day of trouble, when enemies oppose, Psalms 41:5-8, and friends prove false, Psalms 41:9, God draws near. Look after God's poor and He will care for you in the evil day. The blessings that you have endeavored to communicate will return to your own comfort in the hour of tribulation. God will make (or change) your bed in sickness, Psalms 41:3; will heal your soul, Psalms 41:4; and will set you before His face forever, Psalms 41:12. What a sweet conception of God as nurse in the room where feet must be shod with velvet and voices speak in gentlest tones!

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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.