Psalm of Betrayal (Psalm #41) - Bible Baptist Church

Text: Psalm 41

Book of Psalm is divided into five booklets (1-41, 42-72, 73-89, 90-106, 107-150). This psalm ends the first book.

Blessed by the Father (vss 1-4)

David is not saying he’s going to be blessed because he is the one considering the poor. David is not blessing himself! David is the poor and he’s blessing the Lord for considering his humbled and hunted state of existence.
The LORD will deliver him (the poor) in time of trouble
The LORD will preserve him (the poor) and keep him (the poor) alive
The LORD will strengthen him (the poor) upon the bed of languishing
LORD, be merciful unto me (the poor)
- God doesn’t owe David anything. God doesn’t owe anyone anything.
- The typical way this is taught that the do gooder puts God under obligation
Blessed are the poor in spirit… (Matthew 5:3)
- Poor means needy.
- Isaiah 57:15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
- Isaiah 66:1-2, 5 – The LORD looking for a place of rest in the earth; a place to set his kingdom. And He’s looking at things He made like the earth, but He’s really asking what is the place you’ve made me?
This is also and primarily about the Father’s relationship to Jesus Christ as a man.

Verse 9 describes the betrayal in David’s life. It probably is about a man named Ahithophel.
Ahithophel was a wise, well respected counselor in 2 Samuel 15:12 and 16:23. Ahithophel was David’s friend and confidante. Ahithophel had a son named Eliam who was among David’s mighty men (2 Samuel 23:34). These families were very close. Turns out that Bathsheba was the daughter of Eliam (2 Samuel 11:3).
- 2 Samuel 15:10-13, 31-34 – Ahithophel became close to Absalom in order to get to David. Ahithophel didn’t care whether Absalom was king or not.
- 2 Samuel 16:20-22 – Now, you know why this piece of disgusting advice is given? To publicly humiliate David.
- Ahithophel’s hatred cloaked in good advice – 2 Samuel 17:1-4.
- David asks the LORD to work against Ahithophel – 2 Samuel 15:31-34 then 2 Samuel 17:5, 23 (suicide)
The reason this psalm is in the scripture because it is talking about the Lord Jesus Christ and his betrayal.
- John 13:18 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.

Favor shown in victory
Romans 1:3-4 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; 4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
Acts 17:30-31 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
Upheld in integrity, NOT because of his integrity (recall Job ?). What David has come to understand is that in betrayal it is the blessings of the LORD that matter. That’s important because when an innocent party is betrayed it’s natural to look at the LORD to blame him. People are people, the devil is the devil, but the LORD is not a betrayer.
Eternal security of Israel because of the Lord Jesus Christ.