Psalm 41 – Skeptic's Annotated Bible answered

A response and reply to the notes on Psalm 41 in the Skeptic's Annotated Bible (SAB).

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King James Version

SAB comment

My comment


1 Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.

"Blessed is he that considereth the poor."
Wow! Finally something good in Psalms! (Must have been written by someone other than David.)
There are usually two problems with the approaches being advocated by people who like to help the poor: Firstly, those secular types don't give a lot to the poor. I assume they think that's the job of the government. And secondly, after all that helping, at best, the poor are still as poor afterward, and often worse.
On the first point, religious people give much more than their secular counterparts, see John 15:12. So indeed, we listen to what the Bible tells us. On the second point, Africa has been worse off after 40 years of helping. They are now begging us not to help them.
On who it wrote: the title says clearly that it is written by David.

2 The 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.

3 The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness.

4 I said, LORD, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee.

5 Mine enemies speak evil of me, When shall he die, and his name perish?

6 And if he come to see me, he speaketh vanity: his heart gathereth iniquity to itself; when he goeth abroad, he telleth it.

7 All that hate me whisper together against me: against me do they devise my hurt.

8 An evil disease, say they, cleaveth fast unto him: and now that he lieth he shall rise up no more.

9 Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.

10 But thou, O LORD, be merciful unto me, and raise me up, that I may requite them.

11 By this I know that thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me.

12 And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever.

13 Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen.

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