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Scott's Reference Library
Psalm 41:1 through Psalm 41:13 (NIV)
1 Blessed is he who has regard for the weak;
the LORD delivers him in times of trouble.
2 The LORD will protect him and preserve his life;
he will bless him in the land
and not surrender him to the desire of his foes.
3 The LORD will sustain him on his sickbed
and restore him from his bed of illness.
4 I said, “O LORD, have mercy on me;
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 Whenever one comes to see me,
he speaks falsely, while his heart gathers slander;
then he goes out and spreads it abroad.
7 All my enemies whisper together against me;
they imagine the worst for me, saying,
8 “A vile disease has beset him;
he will never get up from the place where he lies.”
9 Even my close friend, whom I trusted,
he who shared my bread,
has lifted up his heel against me.
10 But you, O LORD, have mercy on me;
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 In 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.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
VERSES 1-4
The people of God are not free from poverty, sickness, or outward affliction,
but the Lord will consider their case, and send due supplies. From his Lord’s
example the believer learns to consider his poor and afflicted brethren. This
branch of godliness is usually recompensed with temporal blessings. But nothing
is so distressing to the contrite believer, as a fear or sense of the Divine
displeasure, or of sin in his heart. Sin is the sickness of the soul; pardoning
mercy heals it, renewing grace heals it, and for this spiritual healing we
should be more earnest than for bodily health.
VERSES 5-13
We complain, and justly, of the want of sincerity, and that there is scarcely
any true friendship to be found among men; but the former days were no better.
One particularly, in whom David had reposed great confidence, took part with his
enemies. And let us not think it strange, if we receive evil from those we
suppose to be friends. Have not we ourselves thus broken our words toward God?
We eat of his bread daily, yet lift up the heel against him. But though we may
not take pleasure in the fall of our enemies, we may take pleasure in the making
vain their designs. When we can discern the Lord’s favour in any mercy, personal
or public, that doubles it. If the grace of God did not take constant care of
us, we should not be upheld. But let us, while on earth, give heartfelt assent
to those praises which the redeemed on earth and in heaven render to their God
and Saviour.