Psalm 41 - Blessed Is He That Considereth the Poor
A psalm on caring for the poor that turns to the pain of betrayal by a close friend.
Psalm 41 follows the deliverance narrative of Psalms 40 by opening with a blessing on the one who considers the poor, promising that the LORD will preserve, strengthen, and heal such a person in time of trouble. David then asks for mercy on his own soul, confessing, "I have sinned against thee."
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Blessed [is] he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in the time of trouble.
\\41:1\\To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in the time of trouble.
\\41:2\\The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him to the will of his enemies.
\\41:3\\The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness.
\\41:4\\I said, LORD, be merciful to me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee.
\\41:5\\My enemies speak evil of me, When shall he die, and his name perish?
\\41:6\\And if he cometh to see me, he speaketh vanity: his heart gathereth iniquity to itself; when he goeth abroad, he telleth it.
\\41:7\\All that hate me whisper together against me: against me do they devise my hurt.
\\41:8\\An evil disease, say they, cleaveth fast to him: and now that he lieth he shall rise no more.
\\41:9\\Yes, my own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, who ate of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.
\\41:10\\But thou, O LORD, be merciful to me, and raise me up, that I may requite them.
\\41:11\\By this I know that thou favorest me, because my enemy doth not triumph over me.
\\41:12\\And as for me, thou upholdest me in my integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever.
\\41:13\\Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and amen.