July 26, 2023

Dealing with Betrayal #

Psalm 41

Introduction

Psalm 41, is the close of Book 1 of the Psalms. The Hebrews divide the psalms into 5 books. 1-41, 42-72, 73-89, 90-106, 107-150. All of the Psalms in book one, are believed to be written by David.

The Psalms are filled with emotion. Positive emotion expressed joyfully in praise to the Lord. Frustration, discouragement, sadness are all themes that are clearly given throughout the Psalms.

God created emotion, and the psalmist many times expresses his emotions and feelings in the psalms. If feelings are left uncontrolled, they absolutely can lead us into a wrong area quickly! Frustration, hurt or disappointment if left unchecked will develop into a sour spirit. Anger left unchecked, can turn into a rage. Discouragement if left unchecked can turn into depression. Even happiness if left unchecked, can turn into a false reality.

In many of the Psalms you see are given view into the raw human emotion within the heart of the Psalmist. However, it is always tempered with the control of the Holy Spirit, the Author of the book!

Psychology attempts to manage behavior, thought, and emotion without including God. God the creator, deals with our behavior, thoughts, and emotions in the Bible. It is not a simple book.

I. Promises of God (1-3) #

A. Compassion on the Poor (1) #

Psalm 10 mentions the poor more than any other Psalm, and the wicked consider the poor, but in the wrong way.

Psa. 10:2 The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.

1. Poor in Substance #

2. Poor in Spirit - #

3. This is mentioned a few times in the Bible… #

B. Consider God’s Work (1, 2) #

1. “the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble” (1) #

2. “The LORD will preserve him” (2) #

3. “he shall be blessed on the earth” (2) #

4. “The LORD will strengthen him” (3) #

II. Personal attacks (5-9) #

A. Criticism (5) #

1. Be careful about speaking evil of others! #

Titus 3:1 ¶ Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, 2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.

James 4:11 ¶ Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.

1Pet. 2:1 ¶ Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

2. Wanted him gone! “When shall he die, and his name perish?” #

B. Counterfeit (6) #

“When the fox calls on the sick lamb his words are soft, but he licks his lips in hope of the carcass.” - Spurgeon

1. Visits… but not for good. #

2. Spreads slander – a snake slithers in real close #

C. Company (7-8) – pack of wolves together #

D. Companions (9) - close friend. #

III. Prayer to God (4, 10-13) #

A. Asking mercy (4, 10) #

1. Recognize your sins to God (4) #

2. (4) Ask for mercy, it will keep you humble, knowing you are an underserving sinner, in need of God’s mercy! #

3. Request to be raised up! #

B. Asking for Victory! (11) #

1. Victory #

Rom. 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

2Cor. 2:14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.