Psalm 41 reminds me of the old saying, “Be careful who you step-on on the way up because you will pass them again on the way down”. In this psalm of David, he seems to be speaking from his sickbed. He finds himself in need and quickly finds that he is vulnerable. He also discovers how much a small kindness can mean to the hurting and perhaps thinks back on how he has treated the weak. He begins, “Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the Lord delivers him in times of trouble“. It seems David is talking about both the tender caregiver and the helpless patient at the same time, “The Lord will protect him and preserve his life… not surrender him to the desire of his foes… will sustain him on his sickbed and restore him from his bed of illness“. Often sickness does force us to stop and take account of our life. David understood that every sin is a sin against God, and he reacts with this confession, “Lord, have mercy on me; heal me, for I have sinned against You“. It is interesting to note that some translations say, “heal my soul“. Once again we see our body, mind, and spirit all function together. Our physical health is affected by our mental and spiritual health. I am reminded that Jesus said that on the Day of Judgment, He will say to the condemned, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for Me“.
Success and power will draw the self-seeking and corrupt. From his compromised position David notes, “Whenever one comes to see me, he speaks falsely, while his heart gathers slander; then he goes out and spreads it abroad. All my enemies whisper together against me… Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me“. Perhaps you know this experience too? Isn’t this the same experience Jesus had? Hebrew 4:15 reminds us, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are yet was without sin“. David concludes, “O Lord, have mercy on me… You uphold me and set me in Your presence forever“. Our God does not change! I say with David, “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting“.
Psalm 42 describes the refreshing, life sustaining experience of fully accepting the truth of salvation. “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” Many people that receive God’s forgiveness later in life discover that they must still deal with the thorns and thistles of life including those that ridicule their faith. We may hear “Where is your God?” every time a challenge is presented, but the psalmist writes to himself, “Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God“. He describes the presence of God drowning out sorrow in the midst of pain, “Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me“. He explains God’s unshakable presence, “By day the Lord directs His love, at night His song is with me a prayer to the God of my life“. Despite the circumstances, despite the doubters, despite the new trials, he knows the emptiness of living a life without God at its center. He reiterates his certainty for himself and for us. Listen to his lesson. “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.” Friend, this truth is for you too. Will you trust Him?