Psalm 41:1-4

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1 ^[a]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— 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.

4 I said, “Have mercy on me, LORD; heal me, for I have sinned against you.”

Psalm 41:1-4 Meaning and Commentary

To the chief Musician, a Psalm of David. In this psalm is a prophecy concerning Christ, and concerning Judas Iscariot, as runs part of the title in the Syriac version; and in the Arabic version it is called a prophecy concerning the incarnation, and the salutation of Judas; and certain it is that Psalm 41:9 is to be understood of him, and of his betraying Christ into the hands of his enemies, since it is cited and applied to him by our Lord himself, John 13:18; so that having such a sure rule of interpretation, we may safely venture to explain the whole psalm of Christ, which treats both of his humiliation and exaltation; for it neither agrees with David wholly, nor with Hezekiah, to whom some ascribe it, as Theodoret remarks.

Cross References

• 1. S Deuteronomy 14:29
• 2. S Job 24:4; Psalms 82:3-4; Proverbs 14:21
• 3. Psalms 25:17
• 4. Psalms 12:5; Psalms 32:7
• 5. Ezra 9:9; Psalms 71:20; Psalms 119:88,159; Psalms 138:7; Psalms 143:11
• 6. Psalms 37:22
• 7. S Deuteronomy 6:24; Psalms 27:12
• 8. Psalms 6:6
• 9. 2 Samuel 13:5; 2 Kings 1:4
• 10. Psalms 6:2; S Psalms 9:13
• 11. S Deuteronomy 32:39
• 12. Psalms 51:4

Footnotes

• [a] In Hebrew texts 41:1-13 is numbered 41:2-14.