Psalm 41:4 - Printer Friendly

ESV: As for me, I said, “O LORD, be gracious to me; heal me, for I have sinned against you!”

NIV: I said, 'Have mercy on me, LORD; heal me, for I have sinned against you.'

NASB: As for me, I said, 'Lord, be gracious to me; Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You.'

CSB: I said, "Lord, be gracious to me; heal me, for I have sinned against you."

NLT: 'O Lord,' I prayed, 'have mercy on me. Heal me, for I have sinned against you.'

KJV: I said, LORD, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee.

NKJV: I said, “Lord, be merciful to me; Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You.”

David began this psalm stating that God would protect and heal those who properly cared for "the poor." In this context, that includes all disadvantaged people, not merely those without resources. Part of that blessing included the concept of "healing" (Psalm 41:1–3). In verse 4, David applies this healing to sin and forgiveness. He admits his own errors and asks God to restore him. In the rest of the psalm, David expresses his struggles with enemies. He confidently declares that his enemies will not win, because of his assurance in God's forgiving redemption.

Psalm 66:18 explains that holding sin in one's heart blocks prayer from reaching the Lord. The psalmist declares: "If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened." David knew his confession of sin would clear the blockage. The same result occurs in the experience of every Christian who confesses his sin to the Lord. First John 1:9 promises, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

David also knew he did not deserve forgiveness. He appealed to the Lord to be gracious to him. Divine grace is the Lord's act of giving to sinners what they do not deserve.

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.