Psalm 41: A Psalm of Compassion

Psalm 41 “deals with a time of heavy sickness in the life of the psalmist. The suffering is made all the harder to bear by the psalmist’s realization that those who formerly were friends are now traitors. The psalm begins with a blessing on those who lovingly help the needy, continues with a description of the treachery of his former friends, and closes with a prayer of hope for restoration. The psalm resembles [Psalm] 38”.

David believed his illness was the result of some sin he had committed (v. 4).

His enemies could not wait for him to die and even wanted to erase his name from history (v. 5). The most poignant verse is verse 6, wherein David laments a false well-wisher’s visit to his sickroom. This man “speaks hypocritical words, gathers material for doing him wrong, and carries slanderous tales out of the sickroom. This is a graphic picture of one who poses as a friend, but is the worst of enemies.” This false friend then meets with others who share his hatred for the sick man, and collectively they wish him a speedy demise (v. 7).

“In the book of Job the friends of Job actually came to the place where they accused Job of the grossest sins (see Job 22:5–10).” The accusation intensified his suffering because it was not valid (Psalm 41:8). Some believe this psalm was written during the rebellion of Absalom, and David was speaking of Ahithophel, his former friend and counselor (2 Samuel 15:31).

How callous must a person be to return evil for kindness? Psalm 41:9 has also been applied to Judas (John 13:18), who shared a table with his Master and then betrayed Him. David is sure God will act counter to the wishes of his enemies and raise him up from his bed of sickness (Psalm 41:10, 11). God imparts blessings on both the righteous and the wicked (Matthew 5:45); therefore, blessings cannot automatically be taken as evidence of God’s approval.

Yet friends do not betray one another! “I would be true, for there are those who trust me; / I would be pure, for there are those who care.”