Psalm 41:9-12

9 Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned^[a] 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.

Psalm 41:9-12 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 2 Samuel 15:12; S Job 19:14; Psalms 55:12
• 2. Numbers 30:2; Job 19:19; Psalms 55:20; Psalms 89:34; Matthew 26:23; Luke 22:21; John 13:18*
• 3. ver 4
• 4. Psalms 3:3; Psalms 9:13
• 5. S 2 Samuel 3:39
• 6. S Numbers 14:8; Psalms 147:11
• 7. Psalms 25:2
• 8. S Psalms 25:21
• 9. Psalms 18:35; S Psalms 37:17; Psalms 63:8
• 10. S Job 4:7; Psalms 21:6; Psalms 61:7; Job 36:7

Footnotes

• [a] Hebrew "has lifted up his heel"