Psalms Reading – 2.9.2022
Psalm 41
For the director of music. A psalm of David.
1 Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the Lord delivers them in times of trouble.
2 The Lord protects and preserves them—they are counted among the blessed in the land—
2 The Lord protects and preserves them—they are counted among the blessed in the land—
he does not give them over to the desire of their foes.
3 The Lord sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness.
3 The Lord sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness.
4 I said, “Have mercy on me, Lord; heal me, for I have sinned against you.”
5 My enemies say of me in malice, “When will he die and his name perish?”
6 When one of them comes to see me, he speaks falsely, while his heart gathers slander;
then he goes out and spreads it around.
5 My enemies say of me in malice, “When will he die and his name perish?”
6 When one of them comes to see me, he speaks falsely, while his heart gathers slander;
then he goes out and spreads it around.
7 All my enemies whisper together against me; they imagine the worst for me, saying,
8 “A vile disease has afflicted him; he will never get up from the place where he lies.”
9 Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me.
8 “A vile disease has afflicted him; he will never get up from the place where he lies.”
9 Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me.
10 But may you have mercy on me, Lord; raise me up, that I may repay them.
11 I know that you are pleased with me, for my enemy does not triumph over me.
12 Because of my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever.
11 I know that you are pleased with me, for my enemy does not triumph over me.
12 Because of my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever.
13 Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen.
This psalm completes four consecutive psalms in which David confesses his sin. In this psalm, David cries out for mercy and healing from God since he has sinned. He then directs his attention to his enemies and to those closest to him who have abandoned him. Even though this is his painful reality, he is confident that the Lord will restore him to health and make him prevail over his enemies. As he often does, he finishes with a powerful statement of praise to the Lord.
David began this psalm by declaring that the blessed, those who are the happiest, those who flourish in life are the ones who care for the weak and needy. Proverbs 22:9 says it this way, “The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.”
Let’s recall how the Psalms have already taught us to have a blessed or happy life:
The blessed do not journey with sinners but meditate on God’s instructions. Psalm 1
The blessed are those whose sins are forgiven. Psalm 32
The blessed nation is the one who has God as their Lord. Psalm 33
The blessed are those who take refuge in the Lord. Psalm 34
The blessed are those who trust in the Lord, not in the proud. Psalm 40
And, again, for today, The blessed are those who look out for the needy. Psalm 41
The word “blessed” is used 30 times in Psalms. I encourage you to pay attention each time you find it to see what instruction we are given in order to have a truly joy-filled life in Jesus.
Memory Verse:
Psalm 39:7, “But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.”
Question(s) to Consider:
Are you among the blessed according to these Scriptures? If not, what will you do to make it happen?