Psalms 41 -- Old Testament -- Gospel Daily

Psalms

Chapter 41

Mercy for the poor; betrayal by enemies

The psalmist declares that whoever shows mercy to the poor receives divine favor and deliverance in time of trouble. The LORD preserves and strengthens the merciful, yet the psalmist himself is afflicted with sickness and besieged by enemies who speak evil of him and devise his harm. Even his trusted friend has betrayed him, yet the psalmist appeals to God for mercy, knowing that his enemies have not triumphed because the LORD upholds him in his integrity.

Mercy to the poorDivine deliveranceBetrayalTrust in GodGod's faithfulness

¹Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.

²The 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.

³The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness.

⁴I said, LORD, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee.

⁵Mine enemies speak evil of me, When shall he die, and his name perish?

⁶And if he come to see me, he speaketh vanity: his heart gathereth iniquity to itself; when he goeth abroad, he telleth it.

⁷All that hate me whisper together against me: against me do they devise my hurt.

⁸An evil disease, say they, cleaveth fast unto him: and now that he lieth he shall rise up no more.

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

¹⁰But thou, O LORD, be merciful unto me, and raise me up, that I may requite them.

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

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

¹³Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen.