Psalms 41:10

"Yes, my own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, who ate bread with me, has lifted up his heel against me."

Key Reflection

This verse speaks powerfully of betrayal and trust betrayed. It describes a close companion, someone the speaker trusted completely, yet this very friend turned against them in a manner as if lifting up their heel to strike—a vivid image of sudden and severe harm from one who should have been most loyal.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

But thou, O Lord, be merciful unto me -That is, give me strength; restore me from my sickness and weakness. And raise me up -From my bed of languishing. That I may requite them -That I may repay them; or may recompense them. The word used here -שׁלםshālam- means properly, to be whole, sound, safe; then, in Piel, to make secure, or preserve in safety; and then, to complete, to make whole, to make good, to restore; and then, to make whole or to complete in the sense of recompensing or requiting: to make the matter equal. It would be well expressed here by the familiar language, “giving them what they deserve.” But it is not necessary to understand this as indicating an unforgiving spirit.

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