Sunday Scripture

Time for another Sunday Scripture!  Again today we're continuing my simple study of Psalms.  You can see a copy of the journal I'm using here: The Book of Psalms 1-50 or you can find all the resources simply by scrolling down on the same page.  I'm attempting to SOAP each Psalm too, though some of them are longer so I will likely only do a selected passage from many of them. [Quick reminder that S stands for Scripture; O stands for for observation; A stands for application, and P stands for prayer.]  Each psalm's study also includes a reflection question, which I've been attempting to journal an answer to.  Today we're looking at Psalm 41.  We were to zero in on verse 9, but I chose to SOAP verses 9:11-12. 

 S= "Yea, mine old familiar friend, in whom I trusted, who did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me ...

"By this I know that Thou favorest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me.

"And as for me, Thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before Thy face forever."  (Psalm 41:9, 11-12)

O= In the Scofield study Bible, C.I. Scofield titles this Psalm "Help for the charitable".  My copy of the ESV titles it "O Lord, Be Gracious to Me". Joseph Exell comments that this psalm "seems to have been composed with reference to a period when the Psalmist was suffering from bodily sickness, and from the malice of his enemies and the faithlessness and ingratitude of friends." 

Jesus quoted Psalm 41:9 in John 13:18, when He said: "I speak not of you all (I know whom I have chosen), but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me."

Cross-references for "familiar friend" -- "For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it.  Neither was it he that hated me did magnify himself against me; then I would have hidden myself from him;

"But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and my familiar friend.

"We took sweet counsel together, and walked into the house of God in company."  (Psalm 55:12-14)

"Take heed every one of his neighbor, and trust not in any brother; for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbor will walk with slanders."  (Jeremiah 9:4)

"Trust not in a friend, put not confidence in a guide."  (Micah 7:5a)

"He hath put my brethren far from me, and mine acquaintances are verily estranged from me.  My kinsfolk have failed, and my familiar friends have forgotten me ... All my inward friends abhorred me, and they whom I loved are turned against me."  (Job 19:13-14, 19)

"All my friends watched for my fall, saying, Perhaps he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him."  (Jeremiah 20:10)

Donald C. Fleming wrote: "At the time of the writing of this psalm, David was ill and unable to help himself. One of his closest friends took the opportunity to act treacherously against him. The psalm would suit such circumstances as when his trusted adviser Ahithophel plotted his overthrow by organizing the rebellion of Absalom."

Cross-reference for "favorest me" (v.11) -- "And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city; if I find favor in the eyes of the LORD, He will bring me again, and show me both it, and its habitation;

    "But if He thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let Him do to me as seemeth good to Him."  (2 Samuel 15:25-26)

Cross-reference for "upholdest me" (v.12) -- "My soul followeth close behind Thee; Thy right hand upholdeth me."  (Psalm 63:8)

Cross-reference for "mine integrity" (v.12) -- "Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity; I have trusted also in the LORD, therefore I shall not slide."  (Psalm 26:1)

Cross-reference for "setteth me before Thy face" -- "He withdraweth not His eyes from the righteous, but with kings are they on the throne; yea, He doth establish them forever, and they are exalted."  (Job 36:7)

A=. What comfort it brings to be reminded that betrayal is not uncommon and that even the Lord Jesus Himself experienced it.  It's even more comforting to remember that God will never betray me.  He is on my side and will prevent my enemies from triumphing over me completely.  He will uphold me in my integrity.  He will keep me before His face.  His eyes are constantly upon me.  I can't uphold myself in my own integrity, but God can and He will.

"David knows that many are glad to see him lying helpless because of his sickness and are hoping he will die. To his face they say that they hope he will recover, but behind his back they plot against him (4-6). They encourage one another with the news that he has no hope of recovery (7-9).  David prays that he will recover so that he can deal with the plotters (10). He is confident that his uprightness before God will guarantee God’s help and so bring him victory (11-13)." -- Donald C. Fleming

"It is a great comfort to us that, however weak we are, God is able to uphold us in our integrity, and will do it if we commit the keeping of it to him. -- Matthew Henry

P= "Lord, how thankful I am that even when friends betray me, that You will never betray me.  You will  never leave me or forsake me.  You will not allow my enemies to fully triumph over me.  Even if my enemies were to kill me, there would be victory over the grave.  You promise that death will be swallowed up in victory.  

"In this life You will uphold me in my integrity and keep Your eyes upon me.  I will dwell with You in Your house forever.  How I praise You in the victorious name of Jesus! Amen."

Reflection Question: As David was sick in bed, he also endured a betrayal from a close friend.  This verse was also spoken by Jesus in John 13:18, regarding Judas Iscariot's betrayal.  But David remained steadfast in his confidence that God would never betray him.

Have you ever been betrayed by a close friend that you really trusted?  How does knowing that both Jesus and David experienced betrayal comfort you?  And how does knowing that God will never betray you, encourage you?  

My response: I've been betrayed a few times in my life and it's a painful experience for sure.  It's comforting to remember that King David and even the Lord Jesus experienced betrayal. Knowing that God will never betray me is greatly encouraging.  He will actually prevent my enemies from triumphing over me, and He will uphold me in my integrity.

There is much more to be gleaned from Psalm 41!  As always, I recommend that you dig into this psalm for yourself.