Psalm 41:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: By this I know that you delight in me: my enemy will not shout in triumph over me.

NIV: I know that you are pleased with me, for my enemy does not triumph over me.

NASB: By this I know that You are pleased with me, Because my enemy does not shout in triumph over me.

CSB: By this I know that you delight in me: my enemy does not shout in triumph over me.

NLT: I know you are pleased with me, for you have not let my enemies triumph over me.

KJV: By this I know that thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me.

NKJV: By this I know that You are well pleased with me, Because my enemy does not triumph over me.

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.

This is the last entry in what is often considered the first "book," or major division, of the Psalms. Echoing themes of Psalms 38 and 39, David cries out to the Lord about sin and sickness. This passage refers specifically to betrayal and pressure from enemies. That makes the likely historical context the rebellion led by David's son, Absalom. During that series of events, David's close counselor, Ahithophel, betrayed him (2 Samuel 15—18).

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.