Psalm 41
Part 3 of 3
(Verses 11-13)
11     I know that you are pleased with me, for my enemy does not triumph over me.
12     In my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever.
13     Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen.
Two weeks ago, the first part of Psalm 41 taught us those who give mercy will receive mercy.  Last week, the second part of Psalm 41 taught us about the consequences of treachery.  Tonight, these three verses ending psalm 41 and book 1 of the Psal
ms will show us
The Ultimate Hope
Verse 11: The Demonstration of Blessing
·        David’s concluding words to the congregation state a reminder of God’s blessings to His people (Israel in this case): their enemies had not conquered them.
·        Always remember, in these “public Psalms”, David is speaking as King.  His enemies are the enemies of Israel and by extension the enemies of God Himself.
·        When God was displeased with them (or David in specific), God’s punishing hand fell on them.
·        Here that is not the case: the absence of God’s punishment demonstrates the blessing from the Lord.
Verse 12: The Fellowship in Blessing
·        This should not be taken in an arrogant manner as that is not how the Hebrew reads.  This is an issue of translation and those translating the Scripture do their best to provide a mix between the literal wording and the idea the hearer would have received (we will get into that more in the next few weeks).
·     The English Standard Version (which is more literal) reads: “You have upheld me because of my integrity, and set me in your presence forever.”
·     Figuratively, verse 12 (THE MESSAGE) says “You know me inside and out, you hold me together you never fail to stand me tall in your presence so I can look you in the eye.”
·        So…in Hebrew when we read this phrase “my integrity”, it’s not the narcissistic rage we take it to be.  It’s reflexive on the “You” which in this case the Lord!  Verse 12 is describing the Psalmist as one who follows the Lord’s will—not someone who is good on their own merits.[1]
·        As we’ve said before, this is David’s prayer.  He knew his heart and his heart declared him faithful to God.
Verse 13: A Doxology of Blessing
Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen.
·        This last verse was probably added upon the compilation of the Psalms to end book 1 of the Psalm.
·        And what a beautiful way to end this book!
·        But the verse reminds us that the main thing in our lives must be the eternal praise and glory of the Lord.
·        When Jesus was teaching His disciples to pray, they were taught to bless the Lord’s Name. (Matthew 6:9) for this principle governs all request we make from God.
·        As God answers prayer, it is not to make us more comfortable, but to bring glory to His name.
·         In David’s life, there was still much he was assigned to complete—specifically, the preparation for the building of the Temple (which his son, Solomon built) where the Lord’s glory would one day reside.[2]

[1]Robert G. Bratcher and William David Reyburn, A Translator’s Handbook on the Book of Psalms, Helps for translators (New York: United Bible Societies, 1991), 396.
[2]Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Worshipful, 1st ed. (Colorado Springs, Colo.: Cook Communications Ministries, 2004), 158.