Psalm 41 Study Notes

41:1 On happy, see note at 1:1. Poor (Hb dal) has the basic idea of “low” in the sense that they are humbled or brought low by their own circumstances or by others. It could be used to mean those faithful to the Lord, as do the terms humble, afflicted, or needy (72:13; see note at 34:17-18). However, the verb is considerate might indicate that the idea is economic hardship. Those who are close to the Lord will be generous to those in need (see note at 37:21-22).

41:2 To be blessed in the land was the hope of all those in Israel who were loyal to the Lord and to his covenant with them (see note at 37:3).

41:3 Sustain is not quite identical to heal. It refers to God’s support (v. 12) of someone during a time of adversity, whether it is an illness or some danger (18:35; 20:2; 94:18). Even when there is a delay in God’s intervention, there is still his sustaining power that strengthens the person who is suffering. This is, in fact, when God’s strength is most evident in those who trust him (2Co 12:10).

41:4 Sin is mentioned but not specified or developed (in contrast to Pss 38 and 51). In some cases sin may be assumed, but it is not the main cause of the suffering (see note at 6:1). Evidence of this is that the psalmist considered himself as having “integrity” (41:12), indicating either that the sin was already confessed or that there was no specific sin involved. The primary issue seems to be physical illness, since there are references to “heal” (v. 3), “sickbed” (v. 3), and “something awful” (v. 8), which is how his enemies described his condition.

41:5-8 The enemies are vividly described, with their activities against the psalmist as the focal point. Their intentions were malicious, as demonstrated by their speech and their desire for his demise. To be forgotten is equivalent to dying (see 31:12). Stores up evil expresses the idea of harvesting it like one does grain. Some think this might be a reference to gossip, which in this case involved evil things said about someone. This idea is reinforced by their whispering about the psalmist (v. 7). Their intention was for him to die, so they spoke about his death as if it were a certainty (v. 8).

41:9 Some think the mention of friend here is synonymous with the enemies of vv. 5-8. In instances of extreme suffering, friends can take on the role of enemies (see notes at 31:11-12; 35:11-14; 38:11-12). Indeed there is the adversarial phrase raised his heel against me, so there appears to be more than just abandonment in this context.

41:10 The psalmist wants to expose the wicked and put an end to their plans. “The honor of God and the integrity of the faith and the security of the faithful demands that the righteous do this, for this kind of treachery is no harmless sin . . . This was not personal revenge; it was far more important than that” (Allen P. Ross).

41:11 The Lord’s delight in someone is not a mere emotion but involves actions and is equivalent to blessing or showing favor to someone (18:19; 22:8; 35:27).

41:12 To be in God’s presence is the ultimate reward for the person who is faithful to him (see note at 15:1).

41:13 This verse marks the close of Book 1 of the Psalms (1-41). It is a doxology including a call to praise followed by a congregational response (Amen and amen). There are four psalms (41; 72; 89; 106) that end a book before the beginning of a new one; each has similar material. Such statements were most likely added at the time the Psalms were joined together in their canonical form. Some refer to these as “seam” psalms because of the way they pieced the books together to form the complete book of Psalms.