Thoughts for the Day

Happy* are those who consider the poor*;
the Lord delivers them in the day of trouble.
The Lord protects them and keeps them alive;
they are called happy in the land.
You do not give them up to the will of their enemies.
The Lord sustains them on their sickbed;
in their illness you heal all their infirmities.

As for me, I said, ‘O Lord, be gracious to me;
heal me, for I have sinned against you.’
My enemies wonder in malice
when I will die, and my name perish.
And when they come to see me, they utter empty words,
while their hearts gather mischief;
when they go out, they tell it abroad.
All who hate me whisper together about me;
they imagine the worst for me.

They think that a deadly thing has fastened on me,
that I will not rise again from where I lie.
Even my bosom friend in whom I trusted,
who ate of my bread, has lifted the heel against me.
But you, O Lord, be gracious to me,
and raise me up, that I may repay them.

By this I know that you are pleased with me;
because my enemy has not triumphed over me.
But you have upheld me because of my integrity,
and set me in your presence for ever.

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting.
Amen and Amen.

* or 'Blessed'
* or 'weak'.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Psalm 41 opens with the words of a blessing rather like the one we are accustomed to in the Beatitudes found in Matthew's, Gospel (Matthew 5.3-11). David, who was likely King at the time, reflects on how blessed are those who care for the weak and ailing in society for God will care for them when they are themselves in need. We should note that he is not saying "I have cared for the poor, so now God please help me." Nor is David reminding God of the times he has been compassionate. though he does show the fact that he knows that compassion and empathy are important to God. In fact he immediately confesses his sin before describing how his enemies have reacted to his sickness. His words portray a scene of betrayal and suffering that David is enduring. He is facing hostility from those around him, even from his close friend whom he had trusted and who has turned upon him.

Now the psalm shifts from remembrance to prayer - into a plea for God’s intervention: “But you, O Lord, be gracious to me, and raise me up”. He acknowledges his need for God’s grace and help in his time of trouble. Ultimately he must seek refuge with God, the one real source of comfort and of justice. So the psalm closes with the confident assertion: "I know that you are pleased with me; because my enemy has not triumphed over me."

This psalm reflects a theme of trust in God’s protection and faithfulness, even in the face of betrayal or adversity. It is a theme explored throughout scripture and should reinforce our faith that God loves and cares for us, and that His enemies will ultimately be destroyed. The passage serves as a reminder of the importance of turning to God for strength and justice in times of trouble, trusting in His deliverance, and finding comfort in His unfailing love.

Lord Jesus Christ,
when we find things difficult;
when life seems too hard to continue;
and when there is no-one to help,
may we remember that You are always there.
Help us to turn our flickering faith
into a steady, confident, stream of trust in You,
as we recall that You listen to our cries
empathise with our prayers.
and answer them.
Amen.