Psalms 41:9 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.

Yea, mine, own familiar friend - literally, 'the man of my peace;' he who saluted me with the kiss of peace, as Judas did (Matthew 26:49; cf. the type, Jeremiah 20:10).

In whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me. Christ, in appropriating this to Himself, omits the clause, "in whom I trusted," as applying rather to David, the type, than to Himself. The phrase, "did eat of my bread," is taken from the practice of kings admitting honoured subjects to eat at their table (2 Samuel 9:11; 2 Samuel 19:33). Its awful realization was when Judas was admitted to eat of the Lord's supper. The lifting of the heel is an image from a horse kicking at his master; cf. Acts 9:5, end. Ahithophel, "David's counselor" (2 Samuel 15:12), who deserted to Absalom, typifies Judas, as David does Christ. Ahithophel's and Judas' end, as their course, was alike (2 Samuel 17:23; Matthew 27:5).

Psalms 41:9

9 Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.