Psalm 41

In this psalm the psalmist is sick in bed. He's bargaining. God probably doesn't bargain with a lot of people because He knows they won't fulfill it. They don't love him in their hearts. So this bedridden sufferer explains to God that although he has sinned, he has always been a friend of God's. He has always had integrity. He has considered the poor. When we make a bargain with God, that's as firm and as basic a foundation to begin with. But how many of us can say we have considered the poor and had integrity?

Psalm 41

1Blessed 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.