Psalm 41 Messianic
Psalm of Betrayal – Part III
HEART AND NATURE OF BETRAYAL FROM PSALM 41
I will draw by the Spirit of God several attributes of
betrayers from Psalm 41. I will use the antithesis (opposite) of all the positive
attributes and descriptions of the blessed of God written about in this Psalm.
Every verse from which I will draw a description of a betrayer is a vivid
description of one who is not a betrayer.
How blessed is he who considers
the helpless; the LORD will deliver him in a day of trouble. The LORD will
protect him, and keep him alive, and he shall be called blessed upon the earth;
and do not give him over to the desire of his enemies. The LORD will sustain
him upon his sickbed; in his illness, Thou dost restore him to health.
(Psalm 41:1-3, NAS)
Again, this Psalm is describing those who are not betrayers;
therefore it is easy to define a betrayer. From Psalm 41:1-3 we find
that a betrayer is one who considers not the poor and helpless.
A betrayer does not consider the poor and the helpless and
thereby has given up or betrayed the very heart of God. Jesus said that He did
not come to be served but to serve. Jesus never gave up on the poor in spirit
but continuously considered and delivered them from their enemies, day of
trouble and from their sickbed.
The Lord will not deliver a betrayer from his day of
trouble. The Lord will not protect, keep him alive and he shall be cursed. He
will be given over to his enemies. A betrayer will not be sustained on his
sickbed, in his illness and will not be
restored.
As for me, I said, "O LORD,
be gracious to me; heal my soul, for I have sinned against Thee."
(Psalm 41:4, NAS)
Betrayers are void of a desire for mercy and repentance.
Betrayers do not see the loving grace of God available for the healing of a
sinful soul. Betrayers are constantly influenced by a spirit of death and
purpose in their hearts to steal, kill and destroy any hope of the abundant
life given to us in Jesus Christ.
Betrayers do not seek communion with God and others. This
sinful influence brings forth weakness, infirmity and sleep (death) because
they refuse to rightly discern our Lord’s body.
My enemies speak evil against me,
"When will he die, and his name perish?" (Psalm 41:5,
NAS)
A betrayer speaks evil of his brother and desires his
brother’s death. A betrayer speaks evil and desires that his brother’s identity
be totally destroyed. A betrayer is obviously one who is self-seeking and
flaunts his identity over the name of others.
And when he comes to see {me} he
speaks falsehood; His heart gathers wickedness to itself; when he goes outside,
he tells it. (Psalm 41:6, NAS)
In your presence, a betrayer speaks vain chatter while at
the same time gathering iniquity in his heart. A betrayer when away from you
will tell others of the wickedness which he has gathered in his heart while in
your presence. A betrayer is disconnected from you even in your presence because
his heart is gathering wickedness to itself.
All who hate me whisper together
against me; against me they devise my hurt, {saying,} "A wicked thing is
poured out upon him, that when he lies down, he will not rise up again."
(Psalm 41:7,8 NAS)
A betrayer finds those of like heart and sows discord. These
betrayers plan your hurt. These betrayers whisper and declare that a wicked
thing would happen to you and that you would not arise again.
Even my close friend, in whom I
trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me. (Psalm
41:9, NAS)
In order to betray or give up something one must have first
had it in their possession. This verse from Psalm 41:9 is quoted by Jesus
concerning His betrayal by Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve Apostles (See John
13:18).
Jesus and Judas Iscariot had Godly relationship throughout
all of the ministry of Jesus upon the earth until the point of actual betrayal.
Jesus called Judas His friend even when encouraging Judas to do quickly the
betrayal which had entered into his heart.
Jesus confirmed the pure relationship in which He and Judas
walked when He said, “Friend, {do} what you have come for. "Then they
came and laid hands on Jesus and seized Him. (Matt 26:50, NAS) Also Psalm
41:9 confirms that Jesus trusted Judas.
A betrayer will disdain trusting relationships. There are
probably many reasons yet to be discovered as to why Judas betrayed the trust
of Jesus.
AWESOME BENEFITS FOR THOSE BETRAYED
10 But Thou, O LORD, be gracious
to me, and raise me up, that I may repay them.
11
By this I know that Thou art pleased with me, because my enemy does not shout
in triumph over me.
12
As for me, Thou dost uphold me in my integrity, and Thou dost set me in Thy
presence forever.
13
Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen,
and Amen. (Psalm 41:10-13, NAS)
The wages of betrayal is death. The wages of communion with
God and our brethren is life. The Lord’s grace will constantly resurrect those
in communion thereby righteously repaying the betrayer.
Betrayers will never shout in triumph over you and by this
you can know that God is pleased with you. I am yet to see a betrayer in my
life shout in triumph over me.
Integrity always makes the way for God’s people. Again,
communion with God and the brethren (integrity - one with God and man)
establishes the presence of the Lord forever.
We will forever and forever bless the Lord God of Israel.
Blessings
Gale Maiden
