Psalm 41:9 Yes, my own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, has lifted up his heel against me. The psalmist doth in the text show the cope-stone laid on the maltreatment with which he met in the world by his particular friends turning abusive to him. They who did this were his intimates, his confidants, in whom he trusted; and his dependents, also, for they did eat of his bread. He describes their treatment under the metaphor of a horse that kicks against the man that lays meat before him. "Confidence in an unfaithful man in the time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint." Now, it is evident that what the text speaks of was a typical event. Hence, consider it as it relates to the Lord Jesus Christ. Now, all bread that we eat is the Lord's bread: it is He who supplies us with all the necessaries and conveniences of life. But there is a sacred and sacramental bread which we eat at the Lord's table for the nourishment of our souls. This is peculiarly His bread. I. IT IS A GRIEVOUS THING THAT THEY WHO EAT OF THE LORD'S COMMON DREAD SHOULD LIFT UP THEIR HEEL AGAINST HIM. 1. But they thus lift up their heel when — (1) They do not serve Him by whom they are maintained. If we live by Him we should surely live for Him. (2) When their lusts are fed and fattened by God's good benefits bestowed on them, so that instead of being led to repentance thereby, they are led farther away from God ("Jeshurun" and Ezekiel 16:49, 50). And(3) when the good things God gives are wasted on our lusts to satisfy their cravings. (4) When in any manner of way they live to the dishonour of God (Romans 2:3-6). 2. Now, the causes of such evil conduct are — (1) The corruption of man's nature, which tends to make an ill use of everything. (2) Our forgetting our dependence upon God. 3. The evil of this practice. (1) It is monstrous ingratitude. Of. Isaiah. (2) It has dismal effects, provoking God to take away His bread from men. Therefore let us be humbled on account of this sin, and resolve to reform and amend our ways. II. IT IS A VERY GRIEVOUS THING THAT THEY WHO EAT OF THE LORD'S SACRAMENTAL BREAD SHOULD LIFT UP THEIR HEEL AGAINST HIM. Note — 1. How His professed friends may do this. (1) By unsteadiness in their walk. We are bidden "walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise."(2) By returning to their openly profane courses (2 Peter 2:20-22). (3) By carnality and worldliness in the ordinary frame of their hearts. (4) By formality and listlessness in the duties of religion. (5) By secret dalliance with some bosom idol, to the slighting of Christ. (6) By neglecting opportunities of communion with God, as Sabbaths and public ordinances. (7) By the heart losing the esteem it once had for Christ. (8) By wearying of converse with God. (9) By habitual neglect of the duties of practical godliness (Galatians 2:20). As the life of faith; the acknowledging of God in all our ways; self-examination; mourning for our own sins, and the sins of the land; commending Christ and religion to others who are strangers to Him. (T. Boston, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me. |
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