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.
Psalm 41:11–13 expresses David's confidence that the Lord will defeat his enemies. He is certain God has upheld him and has given him an eternal dwelling in His presence. His last words form a doxology to Israel's God as everlasting. These verses conclude not only Psalm 41 but also the segment commonly referred to as "Book One" of the Psalms.
David observes that blessing comes to the person who shows kindness to the poor. As someone who did just that, David perceives that God is working to protect him from the schemes of his enemies. He admits he has sinned and declares that his enemies want to see him die. These hypocrites scheme and plot while telling lies. Even a close friend has turned into an enemy. David is certain the Lord will vindicate him and not allow his enemy to be victorious over him. He believes the Lord has upheld him and given him assurance of everlasting life in His presence. He concludes Psalm 41 by ascribing praise to the Lord, Israel's God, who is eternal.
