Like a dual lock on a cask of treasures, David concludes Book I of the Psalms with a double “So be it!”
When we turn the page to Psalm 41, we come to the conclusion of Book I of the Psalms. As we’ve seen, these psalms are mostly Davidic in their authorship, and were compiled in the early years of the United Monarchy. Books II and III (Ps 42–72 and Ps 73–89) may have been collected in the days of good King Hezekiah, and the final two volumes, Books IV and V (Ps 90–106 and Ps 107–150), were probably gathered and arranged at the time of the restoration under Ezra and Nehemiah. Each of these “books” or collections concludes with a doxology, from the Greek word doxa. The Septuagint used doxa to translate the Hebrew word for “glory” (kavod). Thus a doxology is an expression attributing all glory to the Lord. This we find in Psalm 41:13. As we carefully read the psalm, we notice the two interwoven themes: human suffering and divine blessing. Imagine the interplay of light and shadow in an orchard, or the undulating hills and valleys of a country road. Life certainly has its ups and downs, its sun and shade. David’s struggles cover the whole spectrum: “time of trouble…the will of his enemies…his bed of illness…I have sinned against You. My enemies speak evil of me” (vv 1-5). Then he crosses into the Messianic when he writes, “Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me” (v 9, see Jn 13:18). But now step out of the darkness into the light. “Blessed is he…The Lord will deliver him…will preserve him…will strengthen him…will sustain him” (vv 1-3). And so it goes. David concludes, “As for me, You uphold me in my integrity, and set me before Your face forever. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting! Amen and Amen” (vv 12-13).