With Psalm 41, we finish the first of five “books” of the Psalter. Like bookends, Psalm 41
echoes themes of Psalm 1. I invite you today to read them both together—where do you
see parallels? differences?
What are the Psalms teaching you so far?
Psalm 1
1 Happy are those
who do not follow the advice of the wicked,
or take the path that sinners tread,
or sit in the seat of scoffers;
2 but their delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law they meditate day and night.
3 They are like trees
planted by streams of water,
which yield their fruit in its season,
and their leaves do not wither.
In all that they do, they prosper.
4 The wicked are not so,
but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgement,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
6 for the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.
Psalm 41
1 Happy are those who consider the poor; the LORD delivers them in the day of
trouble.
2 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.
3 The LORD sustains them on their sickbed; in their illness you heal all their infirmities.
4 As for me, I said, “O LORD, be gracious to me; heal me, for I have sinned against
you.”
5 My enemies wonder in malice when I will die, and my name perish.
6 And when they come to see me, they utter empty words, while their hearts gather
mischief; when they go out, they tell it abroad.
7 All who hate me whisper together about me; they imagine the worst for me.
8 They think that a deadly thing has fastened on me, that I will not rise again from
where I lie.
9 Even my bosom friend in whom I trusted, who ate of my bread, has lifted the heel
against me.
10 But you, O LORD, be gracious to me, and raise me up, that I may repay them.
11 By this I know that you are pleased with me; because my enemy has not triumphed
over me.
12 But you have upheld me because of my integrity, and set me in your presence
forever.
13 Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and
Amen.