Psalm 41 – Bible Reading Plan (2024)

Messianic Psalms: Psalm 41

STUDY OF Summer of Psalms

Read Psalm 41

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

¹Blessed are those who have regard for the weak;
the Lord delivers them in times of trouble.
²The 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.
³The Lord sustains them on their sickbed
and restores them from their bed of illness.

⁴I said, “Have mercy on me, Lord;
heal me, for I have sinned against you.”
⁵My enemies say of me in malice,
“When will he die and his name perish?”
⁶When one of them comes to see me,
he speaks falsely, while his heart gathers slander;
then he goes out and spreads it around.

⁷All my enemies whisper together against me;
they imagine the worst for me, saying,
⁸“A vile disease has afflicted him;
he will never get up from the place where he lies.”
⁹Even my close friend,
someone I trusted,
one who shared my bread,
has turned against me.

¹⁰But may you have mercy on me, Lord;
raise me up, that I may repay them.
¹¹I know that you are pleased with me,
for my enemy does not triumph over me.
¹²Because of my integrity you uphold me
and set me in your presence forever.

¹³Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting.
Amen and Amen.

Go Deeper

David uses this psalm to demonstrate how considering the poor can transform one’s life from the illusion of self-sufficiency to that of total dependence on God. Consideration extends beyond just a thought to wise action and intervention.

We often think of being poor as purely a monetary or physical condition. The term poor, or poverty, does not simply refer to people in lower economic standing. There is also emotional, relational, and spiritual poverty. None of us are immune to that. Deep awareness of our deficiencies, brokenness, and our own poverty should overwhelm us with our desperate need for a savior. Once we realize that, we are better equipped to care for the needs of those around us.

David continues in verses 5-9 to confess his fears and vulnerabilities to God. By listing rejection, ridicule, gossip, and betrayal, David effectively surrenders himself, his relationships, and situations to God as we are commanded to in Philippians 4:6 and 1 Peter 5:7. Upon realizing our own poverty and deficiency we should also confess our sins, fears, and situations to God and praise God for who He is!

Our culture glorifies individualism and self-determination. From a young age we are conditioned to believe the idea that our successes are the result of our hard work, failures are the result of our laziness, and that we can do everything on our own. But Scripture tells us that we should strive towards full dependence on God rather than ourselves. That realization points us toward our Savior and can transform our lives from self-supported poverty to God-provided blessing.

Questions

What are your major weaknesses and your greatest areas of poverty?
Where have you bought into the lies we’re told about individualism and self-determination?
How can you practice relying on God, rather than yourself, for strength throughout your day?

Listen to This!

Here’s a podcast called “Blessed are the Poor in Spirit” from Tim Keller

Leave a Comment below

Did you learn something today? Share it with our Bible Reading Plan community by commenting below.

6 thoughts on “Messianic Psalms: Psalm 41”

Amy Chadwick
August 14, 2024 at 6:35 am

Freedom
We have freedom to speak the name of Jesus. We have freedom to share the gospel. That makes us poor most times, relationally, spiritually, monitarily, and physically. BUT GOD is always there for all seasons/times to give us the increase.
God ignite in me the heart that burns to speak of You. Burn in me share the Gospel. Thank You for me breathing in more of You so that I breath out Your good news. Fill me with a deeper, wider, greater capacity to love others even when they may not be loving towards me. Let me see them through Your love goggles. Let me speak to them with compassion, gentleness, kindness, and most of all Your love. God help me to continue to die to myself and live for You, in Jesus name amen.
WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reply
Scott Nutt
August 14, 2024 at 6:40 am

This single verse stood out to me:
9 Even my close friend,
someone I trusted,
one who shared my bread,
has turned against me.
At first glance/thought, another parallel to Jesus being betrayed by Judas.
At second glance/deeper reflection, I’ve shared in the Bread of our Christ Jesus through Communion. I will be reflecting on my sin today and where I’ve betrayed my Lord and Savior bringing me to verse 4.
4 I said, “Have mercy on me, Lord;
heal me, for I have sinned against you.”
Thank you Jesus for your sacrifice on my behalf, your love, your compassion, your mercy and your grace! It is all yours and freely given to me!
Amen and Amen!
Reply
1. John White
  August 14, 2024 at 7:09 am
  
  Amen! Amen!! Judas is us!!
  Reply
Ella Snodgrass
August 14, 2024 at 6:42 am

Galatians 2:20 reminds me to rely on God for strength throughout my day, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
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Diane Frances Rogers
August 14, 2024 at 8:46 am

I am reminded that God who is the beginning and the end of all things, to rest in His sovereignty, and to have joy in all circ*mstances. I will, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight. “Proverbs 3:5-6
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Erik Davidson
August 14, 2024 at 9:46 am

1 “Blessed are those who have regard for the weak;”
This verse struck me with the importance to “regard” the weak. Too often, I simply don’t notice or pay attention to those who are struggling. I am too busy wrapped in my own self-important world. God, help me to see each of my 8 billion fellow humans as you do . . . through your eyes.
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