The LORD will protect and preserve him; He will bless him in the land and refuse to surrender him to the will of his foes. The LORDThe term "LORD" in this context is derived from the Hebrew "YHWH," the sacred and personal name of God, often rendered as Yahweh. This name signifies God's eternal existence and His covenantal faithfulness to His people. In the conservative Christian perspective, this highlights God's unchanging nature and His personal involvement in the lives of believers. The use of "LORD" underscores the intimate relationship between God and those who trust in Him, emphasizing His role as a protector and sustainer. will protect and preserve him
The Hebrew words for "protect" and "preserve" are "shamar" and "chayah," respectively. "Shamar" conveys the idea of guarding or keeping watch, while "chayah" means to sustain or keep alive. Together, these words paint a picture of God's active role in safeguarding His people from harm and ensuring their well-being. This assurance of divine protection is a recurring theme in the Psalms, reflecting the belief that God is a refuge and fortress for those who seek Him. In a historical context, this would resonate deeply with the Israelites, who often faced physical and spiritual threats. he will be blessed in the land
The phrase "blessed in the land" refers to the tangible and spiritual prosperity that comes from living in accordance with God's will. The Hebrew word for "blessed" is "barak," which implies a state of happiness and favor. In the Old Testament, the land often symbolizes God's promise and provision. For the Israelites, being blessed in the land was a sign of God's favor and a fulfillment of His covenant promises. From a conservative Christian viewpoint, this blessing extends beyond material wealth to include spiritual richness and fulfillment in one's life journey. and will not surrender him to the will of his foes
The phrase "will not surrender him" uses the Hebrew "nathan," meaning to give or deliver. This assurance that God will not hand over His faithful to their enemies' desires is a powerful testament to His sovereignty and protective care. The "foes" or enemies represent any force that opposes God's people, whether physical adversaries or spiritual challenges. Historically, this would have been a source of comfort to the Israelites, who faced numerous threats from surrounding nations. In a broader spiritual sense, it reassures believers that God is in control and will not allow them to be overcome by evil. This promise of divine protection encourages trust and reliance on God's strength and faithfulness. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidTraditionally attributed as the author of Psalm 41, David is expressing his trust in God's protection and blessing. 2. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant name of God, emphasizing His faithfulness and commitment to His people. 3. The LandRefers to the physical land of Israel, symbolizing God's provision and blessing. 4. Foes/EnemiesRepresents those who oppose or seek harm against the righteous, both in David's time and in a broader spiritual sense. Teaching Points Divine ProtectionTrust in God's promise to protect and preserve those who are faithful to Him. This assurance is rooted in His unchanging nature and covenant love. Blessing in the LandRecognize that God's blessings are not only spiritual but can also manifest in tangible ways, such as peace and prosperity in one's environment. Victory Over EnemiesUnderstand that God does not allow His people to be ultimately defeated by their enemies. This victory may not always be immediate but is assured in His timing. Faithfulness and ObedienceReflect on the importance of living a life that aligns with God's will, as His promises of protection and blessing are often linked to our faithfulness and obedience. Spiritual WarfareBe aware of the spiritual battles believers face and the assurance that God equips and defends us against spiritual adversaries. Bible Study Questions 1. How does understanding God's role as protector and preserver influence your daily life and decisions? 2. In what ways have you experienced God's blessings in your "land" or personal circumstances? 3. How can you apply the assurance of victory over enemies to current challenges you face? 4. What steps can you take to ensure your life aligns with God's will, thereby positioning yourself for His protection and blessing? 5. How do the themes of Psalm 41:2 connect with the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament regarding persecution and blessing? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 23This psalm also speaks of God's protection and provision, illustrating the shepherd-like care of the LORD. Deuteronomy 28Discusses blessings for obedience, including protection and prosperity in the land. Matthew 5:10-12Jesus speaks of blessings for those who are persecuted for righteousness, connecting to the theme of divine protection amidst opposition. Romans 8:31-39Paul assures believers of God's unwavering support and protection against any adversaries. People David, Korah, PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics Alive, Bless, Blessed, Blessing, Deliver, Desire, Enemies, Foes, Givest, Greed, Happy, Haters, Keeps, Preserve, Protect, Protects, Revive, Safe, Surrender, WiltDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 41:2 5698 guardian Psalm 41:1-3 6705 peace, experience Library Christ Teaching Liberality
If we should attempt to mention all the parables which Jesus spoke, and the miracles which he performed, and the many other lessons which he taught, it would make a long list. As we have done before we can only take one or two specimens of these general lessons which Jesus taught. We have one of these in the title to our present chapter, which is--Christ Teaching Liberality. This was a very important lesson for Jesus to teach. One of the sad effects of sin upon our nature is to make it selfish, …
Richard Newton—The Life of Jesus Christ for the YoungOf visions. The Graces Our Lord Bestowed on the Saint. The Answers Our Lord Gave Her for those who Tried Her.
1. I have wandered far from the subject; for I undertook to give reasons why the vision was no work of the imagination. For how can we, by any efforts of ours, picture to ourselves the Humanity of Christ, and imagine His great beauty? No little time is necessary, if our conception is in any way to resemble it. Certainly, the imagination may be able to picture it, and a person may for a time contemplate that picture,--the form and the brightness of it,--and gradually make it more perfect, and so …
Teresa of Avila—The Life of St. Teresa of Jesus Question of the Contemplative Life
I. Is the Contemplative Life wholly confined to the Intellect, or does the Will enter into it? S. Thomas, On the Beatific Vision, I., xii. 7 ad 3m II. Do the Moral Virtues pertain to the Contemplative Life? S. Augustine, Of the City of God, xix. 19 III. Does the Contemplative Life comprise many Acts? S. Augustine, Of the Perfection of Human Righteousness, viii. 18 " Ep., cxxx. ad probam IV. Does the Contemplative Life consist solely in the Contemplation of God, or in the Consideration …
St. Thomas Aquinas—On Prayer and The Contemplative Life The Beatific vision. (Continued. )
In the Beatific Vision our intellect is glorified, and our thirst for knowledge completely satisfied. Man was created with a thirst for knowledge which can never be satiated in this world. Sin, which greatly weakened and darkened his mental faculties, has not taken away his desire and love for knowledge. And the knowledge which he acquired by eating the forbidden fruit, rather increased than satisfied his thirst. But all his efforts to reach the perfection of knowledge, even in the natural order, …
F. J. Boudreaux—The Happiness of Heaven The Difference Between Union and Rapture. What Rapture Is. The Blessing it is to the Soul. The Effects of It.
1. I wish I could explain, with the help of God, wherein union differs from rapture, or from transport, or from flight of the spirit, as they speak, or from a trance, which are all one. [1] I mean, that all these are only different names for that one and the same thing, which is also called ecstasy. [2] It is more excellent than union, the fruits of it are much greater, and its other operations more manifold; for union is uniform in the beginning, the middle, and the end, and is so also interiorly. …
Teresa of Avila—The Life of St. Teresa of Jesus Perseverance of Saints.
FURTHER OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. 4. A fourth objection to this doctrine is, that if, by the perseverance of the saints is intended, that they live anything like lives of habitual obedience to God, then facts are against it. To this objection I reply: that by the perseverance of the saints, as I use these terms, is intended that, subsequently to their regeneration, holiness is the rule of their lives, and sin only the exception. But it is said, that facts contradict this. (1.) The case of king Saul is …
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology The Paschal Meal. Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet.
(Thursday Evening of the Beginning of Friday.) ^D John XIII. 1-20. ^d 1 Now before the feast of the passover, Jesus knowing that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto his Father, having loved his own that were in the world, he loved them unto the end. [Since the second century a great dispute has been carried on as to the apparent discrepancy between John and the synoptists in their statements concerning the passover. The synoptists, as we have seen in the previous section, …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel All we Therefore, who Believe in the Living and True God...
18. All we therefore, who believe in the Living and True God, Whose Nature, being in the highest sense good and incapable of change, neither doth any evil, nor suffers any evil, from Whom is every good, even that which admits of decrease, and Who admits not at all of decrease in His own Good, Which is Himself, when we hear the Apostle saying, "Walk in the Spirit, and perform ye not the lusts of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: For these are opposed …
St. Augustine—On Continence A Discourse of Mercifulness
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Matthew 5:7 These verses, like the stairs of Solomon's temple, cause our ascent to the holy of holies. We are now mounting up a step higher. Blessed are the merciful . . '. There was never more need to preach of mercifulness than in these unmerciful times wherein we live. It is reported in the life of Chrysostom that he preached much on this subject of mercifulness, and for his much pressing Christians to mercy, he was called of many, the alms-preacher, …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 Question Lxxxii of Devotion
I. Is Devotion a Special Kind of Act? Cardinal Cajetan, On the Meaning of the Term "Devotion" S. Augustine, Confessions, XIII. viii. 2 II. Is Devotion an Act of the Virtue of Religion? III. Is Contemplation, that is Meditation, the Cause of Devotion? Cardinal Cajetan, On the Causes of Devotion " " On the Devotion of Women IV. Is Joy an Effect of Devotion? Cardinal Cajetan, On Melancholy S. Augustine, Confessions, II. x. I Is Devotion a Special Kind of Act? It is by our acts that we merit. But …
St. Thomas Aquinas—On Prayer and The Contemplative Life The Lord's Prayer.
(Jerusalem. Thursday Night.) ^D John XVII. ^d 1 These things spake Jesus; and lifting up his eyes to heaven [the action marked the turning of his thoughts from the disciples to the Father], he said, Father, the hour is come [see pp. 116, 440]; glorify thy Son, that the son may glorify thee: 2 even as thou gavest him authority over all flesh, that to all whom thou hast given him, he should give eternal life. [The Son here prays for his glorification, viz.: resurrection, ascension, coronation, etc., …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Psalm 41:2 NIVPsalm 41:2 NLTPsalm 41:2 ESVPsalm 41:2 NASBPsalm 41:2 KJV
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