"Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble. The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies. The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness. I said, LORD, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee. Mine enemies speak evil of me, When shall he die, and his name perish? And if he come to see me, he speaketh vanity: his heart gathereth iniquity to itself; when he goeth abroad, he telleth it. All that hate me whisper together against me: against me do they devise my hurt. An evil disease, say they, cleaveth fast unto him: and now that he lieth he shall rise up no more. Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me. But thou, O LORD, be merciful unto me, and raise me up, that I may requite them. By this I know that thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me. And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever. Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen." (Psalm 41:1-13)

 

          The godly person is truly blessed. Those blessing would be numberless. However, even though richly blessed, the righteous also suffer. The upright are both blessed and they are a blessing to others. Poor people are especially blessed as they are loved and cared for by God's people. Jesus said, "For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always." (Mark 14:7) God will deliver the righteous poor in their time of trouble. You can rest assured that this earthly life will have afflictions. Jesus said, "In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) God's blessings are seen in the earthly lives of the upright as He preserves them and keeps them alive. Even when servants of God are upon their sick beds God strengthens and sustains them. 

 

          Recognizing his own sinfulness David prayed to God for mercy and forgiveness. He felt the continuing hatred of his enemies against him and the continuing love of God for him. Knowing that God is well pleased with you leads to the prayer, "Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen." (Psalms 41:13)

 

          Consider the poor -- Psalm 41:1-3: The Lord will bless the person who remembers the poor. God will preserve him, keep him alive and help him in times of trouble and sickness. The servant of God must be deeply concerned about the poor. God's concern for the poor was seen in that the Jews were not to charge interest when a loan was made to the poor. (Exodus 22:25)  The poor were also allowed to gather for themselves small amounts that were left in the fields at harvest. (Leviticus 19:9-10) God's desire is that we help the poor to take care of themselves. If it is not possible for the poor to provide for themselves then let us help provide for their daily needs,

 

          Mercy from God -- Psalm 41:4-8: David prayed for God's mercy and forgiveness. He needed God strength and mercy in dealing with his enemies. Life's burdens had so beaten David down that he could only rely upon mercy from God for help. Confidence in God caused David to realize that his enemies would not prosper. The Bible tells us that God’s mercy is new every morning. "It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22-23) Mercy is God's disposition to pardon the guilty. Thank God for His mercy toward us!

 

          Rejection by a friend -- Psalm 41:9-13: Ahithophel was one of David's friends and counselors. He turned against David during Absalom's conspiracy. Likely this is the person referred to by David. (2 Samuel 15-17) Later those same words were applied by our Lord to Judas when he was eating with Jesus out of the same dish. (John 13:18, John 13:26) Even Jesus had one close friend and apostle to turn against Him. Sometimes as Christian someone might turn against us. The key in dealing with such difficult things is just stay faithful to God and focused on His will.

 

          To begin your Christian life hear the gospel (Romans 10:17), believe in Jesus (John 8:24), repent of sins (Luke 13:3), confess Jesus as Lord (Romans 10:9-10) and be baptized into Christ. "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Galatians 3:26-27) After being washed in the blood of Jesus at baptism be among those who cry, "Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen."