The Book of Psalms
Psalm 41
Psalm XLI · Vol. II, p. 1013
1 The recompense of the charitable man. 4 David prayeth for mercy, complaining of the treachery of his enemies and apostate friends: 11 He acknowledgeth God's favour, and blesseth him.
To the chief musician, A psalm of David.
1 Blessed isa he that considereth the 1poor:2 the LORD will deliver him3 in time of trouble.4
B.C. cir. 1021.
a Pr.14.21;19.17. He.6.10;13.16.
1 Or, the weak or sick.
2 That is, him who is poor in every sense, 'exhausted' of health, riches, and friends. Who is he that considereth the poor? man or the Lord? The words are generally interpreted of a charitable sympathizing man; but do they not rather describe the considerate compassion of the Lord himself?—C.
3 Deliver him—Whom? a man that considers the poor, or the poor himself? The poor himself who is in trouble; for if the words applied to a considerate man, that man might never come into the trouble described in ver. 1-3, and so never attain the promise.—C.
4 Heb. in the day of evil.
2 Theb LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive; and che shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver5 him unto the will of his enemies.
3 The LORD dwill strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make6 all his bed in his sickness.
6 And hif he come to see me, he speaketh vanity: his heart gathereth iniquity to itself; when he goeth abroad, he telleth it.
8 An evil disease,8 say they, cleaveth fast unto him: jand now that he lieth, he shall rise up no more.
9 Yea,k mine own familiar friend,9 in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up1 his heel against me.
Notes
Ver. 1. 'This psalm, like Ps. xxxviii., which it so much resembles, is one that will be always eminently useful to those who are visited with sickness, and who, at the same time, are deprived of the sympathy in their sufferings which the afflicted so much need and desire, and who, instead of sympathy, are subjected to detraction and calumny—their enemies taking advantage of their condition to circulate unfavourable reports in regard to them, and their heretofore professed friends withdrawing from them and uniting with their calumniators and detractors.' From man's cruelty the psalmist teaches us to turn to divine mercy. As a friend and helper God never fails. P.
Ver. 4. Our Lord (Jn. 13. 18, compare with ver. 9) declares this scripture fulfilled by the treachery of Judas; our Lord is therefore the speaker. To set aside this evidence, he is said to have quoted by accommodation, a principle totally unsupported by divine authority, a principle which, if once adopted, puts an end to interpretation; for no man could determine where accommodation ends and reality begins. C.
Reflections.—Whilst here also we behold Jesus Christ through poverty, affliction, malicious and treacherous enemies, entering into his glory, to the endless honour of his Father, and the joy of his heart, let us observe, that kindness to God's poor and afflicted is as much our interest as our duty, and God's blessing is the only comfort of every estate. It can give rest in trouble, and make even grief to smile. And pleasant under trouble are penitent confessions and fervent requests founded on the promise and mercy of God. Sin fills men's hearts and tongues with enmity against Christ and his people: yet vile are their efforts and as vain their hopes. But happy trials are those which excite our prayers, animate our faith, increase our dependence on God, and tune our hearts to his praise; and which make Jehovah's love to our souls more evident and precious.