The term comes from the gambling world, as in your hand is so good you’re going to “double down” by doubling your bet. But more broadly, when we talk about doubling down, we’re talking about being fully committed to a course of action. Of being absolutely fixed on a certain undertaking. We double down when we’re all in — fully convinced that the path or position we’ve chosen is the right path or position.

David, it seems to me, doubled down in Psalm 41.

The king writes a song about a time when he was sick, very sick. So sick his enemies were convinced it was jut a matter of time before he would die — and they couldn’t wait! Even some of his so-called friends were conspiring as to how to profit from his untimely demise. A time when he was confined to his sickbed, surrounded by his enemies, and yet mindful of the power of God who had called him to the throne.

Blessed is the One who considers the poor! In the day of trouble the LORD delivers him; the LORD protects him and keeps him alive; he is called blessed in the land; you do not give him up to the will of his enemies. The LORD sustains him on his sickbed; in his illness You restore him to full health.

(Psalm 41:1-3 ESV)

David believed that the God of his fathers was well aware of his weakness. And David was convinced that the God who had said He would establish David’s kingdom forever (1Chr. 17:7-12) could deliver him, protect him, and keep him alive. That his God could, and would, sustain him on his sickbed and, in God’s perfect timing, restore him to full health.

Not because David believed he merited it:

As for me, I said, “O LORD, be gracious to me; heal me, for I have sinned against You!” (Psalm 41:4 ESV)

But that God would grace him because God delighted in him:

By this I know that You delight in me: my enemy will not shout in triumph over me. (Psalm 41:11 ESV)

And so, even on his sickbed, even surrounded by his enemies, the promises of God evoke the praises of David. And David determines to double down.

Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting!

Amen and Amen.

(Psalm 41:13 ESV)

Amen and amen! Truly, truly! So be it, and so be it, again!

Bottom line, David blesses the LORD even though he’s stuck in bed. Gives God glory though still surrounded by his enemies. Praising God for His everlasting promises, even while he pleads for His intervening presence.

Sometimes that just what you gotta do. Double down on the amen.

Only by God’s grace. Always for God’s glory.

Amen and amen?