‏ Psalms 41

* God's care for his people. (1-4) The treachery of David's

enemies. (5-13)1-4 The people of God are not free from poverty, sickness, or

outward affliction, but the Lord will consider their case, and

send due supplies. From his Lord's example the believer learns

to consider his poor and afflicted brethren. This branch of

godliness is usually recompensed with temporal blessings. But

nothing is so distressing to the contrite believer, as a fear or

sense of the Divine displeasure, or of sin in his heart. Sin is

the sickness of the soul; pardoning mercy heals it, renewing

grace heals it, and for this spiritual healing we should be more

earnest than for bodily health. 5-13 We complain, and justly, of the want of sincerity, and

that there is scarcely any true friendship to be found among

men; but the former days were no better. One particularly, in

whom David had reposed great confidence, took part with his

enemies. And let us not think it strange, if we receive evil

from those we suppose to be friends. Have not we ourselves thus

broken our words toward God? We eat of his bread daily, yet lift

up the heel against him. But though we may not take pleasure in

the fall of our enemies, we may take pleasure in the making vain

their designs. When we can discern the Lord's favour in any

mercy, personal or public, that doubles it. If the grace of God

did not take constant care of us, we should not be upheld. But

let us, while on earth, give heartfelt assent to those praises

which the redeemed on earth and in heaven render to their God

and Saviour