Seder 77: Psalm 41---Thanksgiving and Entreaty

 Psalm 41 is the final psalm in Book 1 of the Psalter.  Like almost all of the psalms in Book 1, it has a traditional connection with David.  (Psalms 1, 2 , 10 are exceptions in this regard; a connection of Psalm 33 with David is mentioned in the LXX but not the MT.)  

Psalm 41 begins with a beatitude, as does Psalm 1:  "Blessed is the one who considers the poor!  In the day of trouble the LORD delivers him."

Commentators discuss what it means to "consider" those in need.  The idea is to figure out how to help those in need in a concrete way.  This can involve taking into account the needs of individuals on a case-by-case basis.  People can be in need because of economic hardship, illness, or persecution.  

In the midrash on the Psalms, a sage named Rabbi Jonah gives an example of how to help someone who has been prosperous previously but has fallen upon hard times.  The man who considers the poor might say, "I hear that you are going to receive an inheritance.  Take some money from me now and pay it back when you have received the inheritance." 

A person who considers those in need is following God's example, and God blesses such a person.  One reason that David is thanking God for this blessing is that he himself is in need.  He seems to be suffering from both a physical illness and oppression from enemies.   

In his suffering he examines himself and acknowledges that he has sinned, and he prays for God's mercy (v 4).  

His enemies are asking, "When shall he die, and his name perish?"  (v 5)  In other words, they want not only for him to die, but for his family line to end.  If David is the psalmist, these enemies want David's dynasty to end.  In effect, they oppose God's plan to send the Messiah.  

These enemies consider the psalmist to be cursed, probably because of some terrible sin (v 8).

Even more painful for the psalmist is the fact a close friend has turned against him (v 9).  Jesus later quoted verse 9 in John 13:18, saying that Jesus' betrayal by Judas is a fulfillment of that verse.  David's experience as a righteous sufferer often foreshadowed the later experience of Jesus.  

David prays for the opportunity to make things right (v 10).  He doesn't have to be seen here as asking for the opportunity to take revenge on his enemies, but rather to defend God's honor and to reconcile with them.  

David is confident in a favorable answer to his prayer because he knows that he is sincerely on God's side (v 12).