Psalm 41:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: the LORD protects him and keeps him alive; he is called blessed in the land; you do not give him up to the will of his enemies.

NIV: The LORD protects and preserves them-- they are counted among the blessed in the land-- he does not give them over to the desire of their foes.

NASB: The Lord will protect him and keep him alive, And he will be called blessed upon the earth; And do not turn him over to the desire of his enemies.

CSB: The Lord will keep him and preserve him; he will be blessed in the land. You will not give him over to the desire of his enemies.

NLT: The Lord protects them and keeps them alive. He gives them prosperity in the land and rescues them from their enemies.

KJV: The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies.

NKJV: The Lord will preserve him and keep him alive, And he will be blessed on the earth; You will not deliver him to the will of his enemies.

David continues to describe the blessings that come to the person who is mindful of the disadvantaged (Psalm 41:1). This is spoken in much the same way as a proverb: a general-case statement of wisdom. Several proverbs note that those who follow God's will are less likely to suffer harm (Proverbs 8:32–36; 12:28), but this is not meant as an absolute promise. Good people are not made invincible. Yet here, David makes a connection between his adherence to God's goodness and God's choice to preserve him through hardships and danger. The first verses of this psalm establish that principle, while the rest is David's confidence that God will not let him fall to his enemies (Psalm 41:11–12).

This psalm was probably written when David's son Absalom and his followers were bent on usurping David from the throne (2 Samuel 15—18). In this passage, David mentions those who seek his end (Psalm 41:5; 2 Samuel 17:1–2) and plot against him (Psalm 41:7; 2 Samuel 15:13–15). He also notes an instance of deep, personal betrayal (Psalm 41:9; 2 Samuel 15:12). Yet David held the assurance that they would not succeed.

Psalm 41:1–4 extols the virtue of those diligent to care for the disadvantaged. In this case, David suggests that God provides such persons with special protection from trouble and hardship. This includes their reputation. This is not a blanket promise, but rather one of the lessons David took from his experiences. The following verses speak about betrayal and plotting; likely this was the rebellion of Absalom and Ahithophel (2 Samuel 15—18). That David endured that situation, brought about by his own sin, reflected on his overall obedience to God's will.

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.