Psalm 41    

“considers the weak.” The Hebrew word translated “weak” can also be understood as meaning, “poor, helpless, wretched,” etc. Also, the word “considers” is used in the wider sense of considering and then acting, so some translations have “takes care of” the weak.

“you restore.” In this stanza, the psalmist suddenly changes from addressing God in the third person (“Yahweh will keep watch…He will bless…Yahweh will support”) to addressing God in the second person, “you restore….” This is unusual in English, but quite common in the poetic sections of the Bible. In this stanza the psalmist expresses his confidence in God, and that He will restore the sick. It is good to have that kind of confidence in God even though there are times when the sick are not healed in this life. But every saved person will be totally healed in the resurrection, so future healing is always assured.

“Even my close friend.” This “close friend” is not identified in the Psalm. A number of commentators think that this refers to David’s close friend Ahithophel, but that cannot be substantiated. The fact is that being betrayed by a close friend is such a common occurrence that it is more of a universal truth than a specific event, even though David may have had a specific friend in mind. David was betrayed by a close friend, and Psalm 41:9 not only applied to David, but to the Greater David, the Lord Jesus Christ, who quoted it at the Last Supper (John 13:18), and in that context, it referred to Judas Iscariot.

“has lifted up his heel against me.” The phrase “lifted up his heel” is an idiom for turning against someone and betraying them. Jesus referred to this psalm at the Last Supper in reference to Judas Iscariot (John 13:18).