Today’s Sermon: Psalm 41, "The Psalmist in Sickness Complains of Enemies and False Friends" by pastor Jim Bomkamp

Background for Psalm 40: 1. King David began this Psalm by extolling the Lord for mightily delivering him after he had waited patiently. 2. King David then wrote about the greatness and number of God’s thoughts toward His people. 3. Beginning in verse 6 the Psalm turned Messianic and King David expressed the thoughts and heart of the Messiah. 4. King David began to beseech the Lord for His lovingkindness to protect him from his many enemies who were seeking to kill him.

Background for Psalm 41: 1. King David states that the Lord blesses and promises to protect and keep the one who considers the helpless. 2. King David continues to pray imprecatory prayers against his enemies. 3. King David discusses how he knows that he has the Lord’s favor in his life because his enemy has not triumphed over him. 4. King David will bless the Lord from everlasting to everlasting, the God of Israel.

Psalm 41:1-3, “1 How blessed is he who considers the helpless; The Lord will deliver him in a day of trouble. 2 The Lord will protect him and keep him alive, And he shall be called blessed upon the earth; And do not give him over to the desire of his enemies. 3 The Lord will sustain him upon his sickbed; In his illness, You restore him to health.”

Scriptures: 1. Deuteronomy 15:7-11 2. Philippians 2:3-4 3. Hebrews 10:24 4. Matthew 7:12 5. Matthew 10:7-8 6. James 1:27 7. Proverbs 11:24 8. Proverbs 11:25 9. Proverbs 14:21 10. Proverbs 14:31 11. Isaiah 58:5-12

Scriptures, continued: 1. Deuteronomy 15:7-11 2. Philippians 2:3-4 3. Hebrews 10:24 4. Matthew 7:12 5. Matthew 10:7-8 6. James 1:27 7. Proverbs 11:24 8. Proverbs 11:25 9. Proverbs 14:21 10. Proverbs 14:31 11. Isaiah 58:5-12

Scriptures: 1. James 2:15-17 2. Matthew 25:31-46 3. 2 Corinthians 9:7-14 4. 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Psalm 41:4-13, “4 As for me, I said, “O Lord, be gracious to me; Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You.” 5 My enemies speak evil against me, “When will he die, and his name perish?” 6 And when he comes to see me, he speaks falsehood; His heart gathers wickedness to itself; When he goes outside, he tells it. 7 All who hate me whisper together against me; Against me they devise my hurt, saying, 8 “A wicked thing is poured out upon him, That when he lies down, he will not rise up again.”” 9 Even my close friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his 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 does not shout in triumph over me. 12 As for me, You uphold me in my integrity, And You set me in Your presence forever. 13 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, From everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen.”

CONCLUSIONS: Be wise and know that the Lord will bless you and take care of you as you are concerned about others and their needs, and especially as you take care of the weak and helpless who need others to help and defend them.