Click here to read PSALM 41 in poetic form.
Background
Like Psalms 38 and 39 and 40, this shows the sufferings the Messiah would endure and overcome so that he could reign as King. Psalm 41 shows Messiah’s trust in God despite the betrayal of intimate friends. It closes with Messiah’s integrity and his future place seated at God’s right hand forever. This Psalm is also the conclusion of the first or “Genesis” book in the Psalms, having a benediction and double “Amen.”
Structure
(Verses 1-3) God blesses the David with life on earth
(Verse 4) Prayer for God’s mercy (David)
(Verses 5,6) Evil speakers who are false
(Verses 7-9) Evil speakers and a false friend
(Verse 10) Prayer for God’s mercy (Messiah)
(Verses 11,12) God blesses the Messiah eternally at His right hand
(Verse 13) Closing benediction for Book 1 (Genesis) of Psalms
Key Scriptures
Verse 4—“be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee.” This could not be the prayer of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who knew no sin. It was David’s prayer.
Verse 9—“mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.” Jesus Christ knew this referred to him as the Messiah, the son of David. He quoted this verse in John 13:18: “I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.”
Verse 12—“thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever.” Jesus Christ had the greatest integrity of any man. He is now seated in the heavenly places before God’s face forever.
Verse 13—“from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen.” This closing benediction includes “doubled” statements to show that they are established.
FOR FURTHER STUDY
All 150 of The Psalms in Poetic Form are available from Amazon in a book, either Large Print or a smaller Bedside Reader. Also available for free with a Kindle Unlimited membership. Enjoy!
The entire blog series is now available in the publication The Psalms: Background & Structure with Key Scriptures Explained.
