Psalms 41King James Version
Blessed is he that considereth the poor. Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me. Jesus quotes this at the last supper about Judas.
The closing psalm of Book 1, with both a personal lament and a doxology that seals the collection. David is ill, betrayed by a trusted friend who ate his bread, slandered by enemies predicting his death. Yet he believes in God's favor measured by enemy failure to triumph. The psalm ends with 'Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting.' The intimate betrayal of v9 would be quoted by Jesus about Judas.
Betrayal by a trusted companion at the moment of vulnerability is precisely the crisis God's favor is measured against, not the easy moments.
verse: "Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me." Jesus quotes this about Judas in John 13:18.
Superscription: 'To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.' The illness (v3, 8) and treacherous friend (v9) suggest a specific life situation, possibly Ahithophel's betrayal during Absalom's rebellion (2 Sam 15-17). The closing doxology (v13) is editorial, added to mark the end of Book 1, not original to the psalm.
David as the sick and betrayed petitioner; the poor whose considerer is blessed; the whispering enemies who predict David's death; the familiar friend who betrays; God as the one whose favor is measured by enemy failure.
John 13:18 applies v9 to Judas's betrayal of Jesus, making this psalm another passion-narrative psalm alongside 22. The doxology in v13 closes Book 1 of the Psalter, one of five such doxologies marking the editorial divisions (41:13, 72:18-19, 89:52, 106:48, 150). The 'considereth the poor' opening (v1) connects care for the vulnerable to personal deliverance.
For when illness has made you vulnerable and someone you trusted has used that vulnerability against you. This is the specific betrayal David names, and it is one of the worst.
1[To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.] Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.
2The 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.
3The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness.
4I said, LORD, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee.
5Mine enemies speak evil of me, When shall he die, and his name perish?
6And if he come to see me, he speaketh vanity: his heart gathereth iniquity to itself; when he goeth abroad, he telleth it.
7All that hate me whisper together against me: against me do they devise my hurt.
8An evil disease, say they, cleaveth fast unto him: and now that he lieth he shall rise up no more.
9Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.
10But thou, O LORD, be merciful unto me, and raise me up, that I may requite them.
11By this I know that thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me.
12And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever.
13Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen.