For the music director; a psalm of David. 

 

Psalms 1-41 are considered as the first of five books of the Psalms. This is the last song of Book One, written by David.

 

41:1 How blessed is the one who treats the poor properly! When trouble comes, the Lord delivers him. 

 

David was living under the Mosaic Law. Those who took care of the poor were blessed by Jehovah. When trouble comes, they will be delivered.

 

It is important to note that most other ancient religions did not take care of the poor. They exploited the poor. For example, Hinduism labeled the poor as “untouchables” who were evil in another former life. The poor of Hinduism were to be shunned and ignored.

 

41:2 May the Lord protect him and save his life! May he be blessed in the land! Do not turn him over to his enemies! 

 

Those who protect the poor were to be protected by Jehovah. Their life was to be safe in His hands.  They were to be blessed with prosperity in the land of Israel. They were not to be turned over to their enemies.

 

Modern prosperity preachers often misapply this verse to their biblically-ignorant congregations. Prosperity pastors teach that if one gives, then God will prosper him financially. Material prosperity was promised to ancient Israel who was living under the Mosaic Law. Suffering is promised to those who are living under the modern dispensation of the church. God has promised to give all believers food, clothing, and shelter, unless they have chosen to wear the martyr’s crown.

 

41:3 The Lord supports him on his sickbed; you completely heal him from his illness. 

 

Jehovah is the Great Physician. When an Israelite who was living underneath the Mosaic Law helped the poor, then Jehovah helped to heal him. This verse does not apply to modern faith healers who are living under today’s church dispensation. Jehovah is the Great Physician who heals. One does not have to give money to a faith healer in order to bribe God to heal him.

 

41:4 As for me, I said: “O Lord, have mercy on me! Heal me, for I have sinned against you! 

 

David asked Jehovah to heal him, because he had sinned against Jehovah.

 

41:5 My enemies ask this cruel question about me, ‘When will he finally die and be forgotten?’ 

 

David was the anointed king of Israel whose descendants were to bring the Messiah into the world. The men of the satanic world system wanted to kill him.

 

41:6 When someone comes to visit, he pretends to be friendly; he thinks of ways to defame me, and when he leaves he slanders me. 

 

David’s enemies were pretending like they were his friends. 

 

41:7 All who hate me whisper insults about me to one another; they plan ways to harm me. 

 

David’s enemies were planning to bring him down.

 

41:8 They say, ‘An awful disease overwhelms him, and now that he is bed-ridden he will never recover.’ 

 

David’s enemies were hoping that David would not recover from his illness.

 

41:9 Even my close friend whom I trusted, he who shared meals with me, has turned against me. 

 

David had in mind the treachery of his friend Ahithophel, who betrayed him, and then hanged himself. In John 13:18, these exact words were quoted by Jesus concerning Judas.

 

41:10 As for you, O Lord, have mercy on me and raise me up, so I can pay them back!” 

 

David asked Jehovah to show mercy to him and heal him of this disease so that he could take revenge on his enemies. The enemies of David were also the enemies of God.

 

41:11 By this I know that you are pleased with me, for my enemy does not triumph over me. 

 

If Jehovah heals David, then David will know that he pleases Jehovah. Jehovah will not let the evil men of the satanic world system claim victory over the Lord’s anointed king.

 

41:12 As for me, you uphold me because of my integrity; you allow me permanent access to your presence. 

 

David possesses integrity, because he studies and applies sound Bible doctrine. Since David is serving Jehovah, then Jehovah upholds him and allows him permanent access into His presence.

 

41:13 The Lord God of Israel deserves praise in the future and forevermore! We agree! We agree! 

 

Jehovah is the covenant-keeping-promise-keeping God of Israel. The congregation agrees that God deserves eternal praises.