Psalm 41

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This article is about Psalm 41 in Hebrew (Masoretic) numbering. For Psalm 41 in Greek Septuagint or Latin Vulgate numbering, see Psalm 42.
Psalm 41
Chubb's Almshouses - inscription - geograph.org.uk - 1140299.jpg
1604 inscription with Psalm 41. Chubb's Almshouses, Crewkerne, United Kingdom
BookBook of Psalms
Hebrew Bible partKetuvim
Order in the Hebrew part1
CategorySifrei Emet
Christian Bible partOld Testament
Order in the Christian part19

Psalm 41 is the 41st psalm of the Book of Psalms and the final psalm in Book One of the collection. In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate translations of the Bible, this psalm is Psalm 40.

Verse 13[]

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel
From everlasting to everlasting!
Amen and Amen.[1]

This verse is not the final verse of the Psalm itself, but represents a liturgical conclusion to the first segment of the Book of Psalms.[2]

Interpretation[]

Alexander Kirkpatrick suggests that this psalm "ends the first book of the Psalter ... with a hope, destined to be illuminated with a new light by the revelation of the Gospel".[3]

Uses[]

Judaism[]

Verse 4 is found in the repetition of the Amidah during Rosh Hashanah.[4]

Psalm 41 is one of the ten Psalms of the Tikkun HaKlali of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov.[5][6]

New Testament[]

Judas Iscariot is seen as the man who "lifts his heel" against his friend with whom he shared bread. This is poignant in the context of the last supper, as Jesus washed Judas' feet, shared bread with him and was repaid by Judas giving 'his heel' figuratively. This imagery is also ironic as the Messiah would crush the serpent's head under 'his heel' in a Christian view of Genesis 3.

Catholic Church[]

This psalm was traditionally performed during the celebration of Matins[8] in abbeys, according to the Rule of Saint Benedict of Nursia established in 530.[9][10] In the Liturgy of the Hours today, Psalm 41 is sung or recited at Vespers of a Friday of the first week. The main cycle of liturgical prayers takes place over four weeks.

Book of Common Prayer[]

In the Church of England's Book of Common Prayer, this psalm is appointed to be read on the evening of the eighth day of the month.[11]

References[]

  1. ^ Psalm 41:13: New King James Version
  2. ^ Stuttgarter Erklärungsbibel. ISBN 3-438-01121-2, 2. Aufl. 1992, Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft Stuttgart, p665-667, 695f, 717f
  3. ^ Kirkpatrick, A. (1906), Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges on Psalm 41, accessed 6 November 2021
  4. ^ The Complete Artscroll Machzor for Rosh Hashanah, page 327
  5. ^ Weintraub, Rabbi Simkha Y. (2018). "Psalms as the Ultimate Self-Help Tool". My Jewish Learning. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
  6. ^ Greenbaum, Rabbi Avraham (2007). "The Ten Psalms: English Translation". azamra.org. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
  7. ^ a b Kirkpatrick, A. F. (1901). The Book of Psalms: with Introduction and Notes. The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges. Vol. Book IV and V: Psalms XC-CL. Cambridge: At the University Press. p. 838. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
  8. ^ Psautier latin-français du bréviaire monastique, (1938/2003) p. 159
  9. ^ "La distribution des Psaumes dans la Règle de Saint Benoît". www.abbaye-montdescats.fr.
  10. ^ Prosper Guéranger, Rule of St Benedict, (Abbaye Saint-Pierre de Solesmes, réimpression 2007) p. 46.
  11. ^ Church of England, Book of Common Prayer: The Psalter as printed by John Baskerville in 1762, pp. 196ff

External links[]

Media related to Psalm 41 at Wikimedia Commons

  • Psalm 41 in Hebrew and English - Mechon-mamre
  • Psalm 41 King James Bible - Wikisource
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