Psalms 41:1
Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.
Study Note
Study Note
The beatitude formula ('blessed is he who considers the poor') opens a psalm whose center is the psalmist's own suffering from illness and betrayal by a close friend, creating a connection between care for others and God's care for the one who cares. The Hebrew 'maskil' (considers, has insight into) implies not merely feeling sorry for the poor but wisely attending to their actual needs. John 13:18 applies Psalm 41:9 ('my close friend has lifted his heel against me') to Judas' betrayal of Jesus, suggesting Jesus identified himself with the suffering righteous of this psalm. James 1:27 and Matthew 25:35-40 develop the same theological connection between practical care for the vulnerable and authentic religion.
Other Translations
Blessed is he that considereth the poor: Jehovah will deliver him in the day of evil.
To the Overseer. --A Psalm of David. O the happiness of him Who is acting wisely unto the poor, In a day of evil doth Jehovah deliver him.
Happy is the man who gives thought to the poor; the Lord will be his saviour in the time of trouble.
Cross References
If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy …
For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand …
Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him.
I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out.
If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail;
If his loins have not blessed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep;
Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.
They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.
But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: he is their strength in the time of trouble.