Psalm 41

David is again sick. It's a familiar theme in the past few psalms. So is his confidence that God will deliver him. In this psalm, he makes the case for mercy -- not because David thinks he deserves mercy (by definition, mercy is undeserved), but he asks for mercy anyway.

He begins by expanding upon what Jesus would later encapsulate into one of the Beatitudes. Blessed are those who show mercy, for they will be shown mercy. David knows that he has lived a life showing mercy to others. I think of the many times he could have killed King Saul who was pursuing him, but showed mercy instead. David has lived that kind of life. Still his call for mercy is not because he feels God owes him. He simply is asking for mercy.

David lays out his situation. Not only is his horribly sick, but people are waiting for, and hoping for his death. This "vile disease" (v. 8) is something which sickens both his body and his spirit. Yet his confidence remains. His close friend has deserted him. Friends come to call and go through all the niceties, but they leave spreading gossip of David's upcoming demise.

David's call to "repay them" in verse 10 should be seen as a king guarding the kingdom from traitors, rebels and revolutionaries rather than a simple revenge for treating David badly.

Once again, David has admitted that he is a sinner, but this sickness is not seen as divine punishment. It is simply something which the Lord will see him through.

It is God who upholds David in his integrity. If I want to live a life of integrity, I cannot do it alone. I need God's strength to life that kind of life. David admits this freely.

This psalm, and the first book of the Psalms, ends with an outburst of praise to God. Amen and Amen.