Psalms 41:12 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever.

And as for me - in contrast to the doomed "enemy" (Psalms 41:11).

Thou upholdest me in mine integrity - i:e., on account of mine integrity; on account of my possessing that very character which brings with it, as a matter of grace, not debt, mercy from God (Psalms 41:1-3; Psalms 18:20-27). As applied to the type, David, the "integrity" claimed here is that of sincerity of aim after perfection, not absolute perfection. For in Psalms 41:4 he pleads, "I have sinned against thee." In the case of the Antitype, Christ, the "integrity" is absolute; and the sins not personal, but vicariously borne by imputation.

And settest me before thy face for ever - as an object of thy continual regard, watching over me now (Psalms 34:15), and at last admitting me to "behold thy face in righteousness" (Psalms 16:11; Psalms 17:15; cf. also Psalms 80:3; Psalms 80:7; Psalms 80:19). To stand continually before a king is to be his ministering servant (1 Kings 10:8). To minister before God is the final end for which He saves His people, and this, too, is their greatest happiness (Revelation 22:4).

Psalms 41:12

12 And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever.