Psalm 41

Blessed is he that considereth the poor:
the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.

{2} The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive;
and he shall be blessed upon the earth:
and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies.
{3} The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing:
thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness.

{4} I said, LORD, be merciful unto me:
heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee.
{5} Mine enemies speak evil of me,
When shall he die, and his name perish?

{6} And if he come to see me, he speaketh vanity:
his heart gathereth iniquity to itself;
when he goeth abroad, he telleth it.

{7} All that hate me whisper together against me:
against me do they devise my hurt.
{8} An evil disease, say they, cleaveth fast unto him:
and now that he lieth he shall rise up no more.

{9} Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted,
which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.
{10} But thou, O LORD, be merciful unto me,
and raise me up, that I may requite them.

{11} By this I know that thou favourest me,
because mine enemy doth not triumph over me.
{12} And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity,
and settest me before thy face for ever.

{13} Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting.
Amen, and Amen."


One of the most striking things, not only in the Psalms, but in the prophets as well, is God’s concern for the poor and powerless. It is true enough that God condemns Israel for forsaking the Sabbath and worshiping idols, but his singular condemnation is for the way we treat one another. And the forsaking of the law of God lets us wander down the path of self seeking.

The NT writers tell us that Jesus was tempted in all points like we are, and that he suffered every kind of pain that we suffer. One of the deepest cuts of all is betrayal, and because we have been betrayed, so He had to be betrayed by Judas.

My own familiar friend, whom I trusted, who ate of my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.

 

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