What does Psalm 41:11 mean?

The psalm began with David's comments about God providing healing and protection for godly people (Psalm 41:1–3). He tied the concept of "healing" to forgiveness of sin (Psalm 41:4) and applied that to the enemies who attacked his life and throne (Psalm 41:5–10). David is confident that God's favor will be demonstrated by the defeat of his opponents.

Christians, too, can be certain that their enemies will not triumph over them. Christians are not promised easy lives (John 16:33) or perfect freedom from persecution, disease, or hardship. Romans 8:35 lists some foes that assail believers. They are tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, and sword. Paul asks whether these things can separate us from the love Christ, and answers: "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us" (Romans 8:37). He adds, "For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38–39). In 2 Corinthians 2:14 Paul thanks God, "who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession." He pictures believers in a triumphant parade celebrating the victory Jesus has accomplished.