Psalm 41:1-13
For the choir director.
A Psalm of David.
How blessed is he who considers the helpless;
The Lord will deliver him in a day of trouble.
[2] The Lord will protect him, and keep him alive,
And he shall be called blessed upon the earth;
And do not give him over to the desire of his enemies.
[3] The Lord will sustain him upon his sickbed;
In his illness, Thou dost restore him to health.
[4] As for me, I said, "O Lord, be gracious to me;
Heal my soul, for I have sinned against Thee."
[5] My enemies speak evil against me, "When will he die, and his name perish?"
[6] And when he comes to see me, he speaks falsehood;
His heart gathers wickedness to itself;
When he goes outside, he tells it.
[7] All who hate me whisper together against me;
Against me they devise my hurt, saying,
[8] "A wicked thing is poured out upon him,
That when he lies down, he will not rise up again."
[9] Even my close friend, in whom I trusted,
Who ate my bread,
Has lifted up his heel against me.
[10] But Thou, O Lord, be gracious to me, and raise me up,
That I may repay them.
[11] By this I know that Thou art pleased with me,
Because my enemy does not shout in triumph over me.
[12] As for me, Thou dost uphold me in my integrity,
And Thou dost set me in Thy presence forever.
[13] Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
From everlasting to everlasting.
Amen, and Amen.
Psalm 41
Open It
For the choir director.
A Psalm of David.
How blessed is he who considers the helpless;
The Lord will deliver him in a day of trouble.
[2] The Lord will protect him, and keep him alive,
And he shall be called blessed upon the earth;
And do not give him over to the desire of his enemies.
[3] The Lord will sustain him upon his sickbed;
In his illness, Thou dost restore him to health.
[4] As for me, I said, "O Lord, be gracious to me;
Heal my soul, for I have sinned against Thee."
[5] My enemies speak evil against me, "When will he die, and his name perish?"
[6] And when he comes to see me, he speaks falsehood;
His heart gathers wickedness to itself;
When he goes outside, he tells it.
[7] All who hate me whisper together against me;
Against me they devise my hurt, saying,
[8] "A wicked thing is poured out upon him,
That when he lies down, he will not rise up again."
[9] Even my close friend, in whom I trusted,
Who ate my bread,
Has lifted up his heel against me.
[10] But Thou, O Lord, be gracious to me, and raise me up,
That I may repay them.
[11] By this I know that Thou art pleased with me,
Because my enemy does not shout in triumph over me.
[12] As for me, Thou dost uphold me in my integrity,
And Thou dost set me in Thy presence forever.
[13] Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
From everlasting to everlasting.
Amen, and Amen.
Psalm 41
Open It
* 1. Who are the weak in our society?
2. What do you most appreciate when you are feeling sick or abandoned?
3. When have you ever felt homesick, very lonely, or utterly alone?
Explore It
4. How should people view the weak? (41:1)
5. How does the Lord treat weak people? (41:1-3)
* 6. What blessings does God give to the weak? (41:1-3)
7. What motivated David to write this prayer? (41:1-13)
8. How did David voice his confidence in the Lord? (41:1-3)
9. What did David believe to be the reason for his illness? (41:4)
10. What request did David ask of the Lord? (41:4-6)
11. How did David’s enemies torment him? (41:5-9)
12. What rumors did David’s enemies spread? (41:6-8)
* 13. What were David’s adversaries guilty of doing? (41:6-9)
14. How was David’s reputation slandered? (41:6-9)
15. In addition to his enemies, who else betrayed David? (41:9)
16. Why did David want to be healed of his sickness? (41:10)
17. How did the Lord treat David differently than his friends and enemies? (41:10-12)
* 18. How did David know he was favored by God? (41:11)
19. Why did God protect David? (41:12)
20. What did David do in anticipation of God’s healing and deliverance? (41:13)
Get It
21. Why is it so difficult to be alone?
22. Judging from this psalm, how did David feel when his close friend turned against him?
23. When have you felt betrayed by a friend?
24. How are weak people treated by others?
25. How does God want us to treat weak people?
* 26. Why does the Lord allow us to go through difficult experiences?
27. Where do you usually turn when you feel helpless or abandoned?
28. What can we learn from David’s example about handling sickness or abandonment?
29. What connection did David see between his sin and his sickness?
30. How is our sin related to what God allows us to experience?
31. How does God encourage you to repent?
* 32. How can we know if God is pleased with us?
33. What good people, places, and things has the Lord allowed you to enjoy?
34. What difficult situations are you facing?
35. In what area of life do you feel the need to plea for God’s mercy?
Apply It
36. What can you do to take comfort in God the next time you feel lonely or abandoned?
* 37. What can you do to rely on God in handling the challenges you face this next week?
38. How can you remember to pray for God’s mercy each time you pray?
AFFIRMATIONS
TODAY I AM:
Blessed and delivered in time of trouble because I considered the poor.
Preserved by the LORD and kept alive.
Blessed upon the earth: and not delivered unto the will of mine enemies .
Strengthen upon my bed of languishing.
Shown mercy and my soul is healed; for I am confessing my sins .
Upholds in mine integrity .
Blessing the LORD.
