Psalms 41:1

Blessed [is] he that considereth the poor,.... Not the poor of the world in common, nor poor saints in particular, but some single poor man; for the word is in the singular number, and designs our

Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.

Psalms 41 THE The occasion of this Psalm was manifestly some sore disease or affliction which God had inflicted upon David, and which gave his enemies opportunity to discover their hatred and malice against him. David showeth God’ s care of the poor, . He confesseth his sins, and complaineth of his enemies’ treachery, ; but fleeth to God for succour, . That considereth; or, that carries himself wisely and prudently with or towards him, not rashly and foolishly censures and condemns him, as my pretended friends dealt with me, ; nor insulteth over him, which is a foolish as well as wicked thing; but considereth that it may be his own case, and therefore pitieth and helpeth him; which is the likeliest way to obtain the like pity for himself in his trouble. The poor; or rather, the weak, or sick, or languishing person, as may be gathered by comparing this with , where the mercy which he is supposed to have afforded to him is returned upon himself, and with . The Lord will deliver him; either, 1. The poor afflicted man. Though his enemies conclude his case to bc desperate, , God will confute them, and deliver him. Or, 2. The considerer of the poor, of whom also this same pronoun him is confessedly meant, ,3. And so it is a promise of recompence, the wise and merciful man shall find mercy.

Psalms 41:1 « To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. » Blessed [is] he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.A Psalm of David] Of the same sense with the four former psalms, saith Kimchi. Ver. 1. Blessed is he that considereth the poor] Heb. that wisely considereth concerning the poor; the poor weakling, whose health is impaired, whose wealth is wasted. Austin rendereth it, Qui praeoccupat vocem petituri, He that preventeth the request of the poor beggar; wisely considering his case, and not staying till he crave; which possibly out of modesty he may be loth to do. The most interpret it of a charitable judgment passed upon the poor afflicted, not holding him therefore hated of God because heavily afflicted, as Job’ s friends did. At vobis bene sit qui de me quantumvis calamitoso rectius iudicatis, so Beza here paraphraseth; Well may you fare, my friends, who censure better of me, though full of misery; and deal more kindly with me. The word Maschil signifieth both a prudent judgment and a desire to do all good offices, saith one. It signifieth to give comfort and instruction to the weak, saith another, wisely weighing his case, and ready to draw out, not his sheaf only, but his "soul to the hungry," Isaiah 58:10. This is a blessed man, presupposing him to be a believer, and so to do it from a right principle, viz. "Charity out of a pure heart, of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned," 1 Timothy 1:5. The Lord will deliver him] i.e. The poor weakling; and the other also that dealeth so mercifully with him; both shall be delivered; according to that of our Saviour, Matthew 10:41. Delivered, I say, he shall be in due time; supported in the mean while; a good use and a good issue he shall be sure of. Some make it David’ s prayer, The Lord deliver him, &c. Others, the merciful man’ s prayer for the poor afflicted (Kimchi).

(1) Blessed is he.—This general statement of the great law of sympathy and benevolence—fine and noble however we take it—may be explained in different ways, according as we take the Hebrew word dal as poor, with the LXX. and Vulg. (comp. Exodus 30:15), or with the margin, as sick, weak in body (comp. Genesis 41:19), or give it an ethical sense, sick at heart. (Comp. 2 Samuel 13:4.) The context favours one of the two latter, and the choice between them depends on whether we take the author’s sickness to be real or figurative. Psalms 41:3 strongly favours the view that the sickness is physical. Considereth.—The Hebrew word implies wise as well as kindly consideration. So LXX. and Vulg., “he that understands.”

PSALM XLI The blessedness of the man who is merciful to the poor, 1-3. The psalmist complains of his enemies, and prays for support, 4-10; and blesses God for having heard his prayer, and preserved him from his adversaries, 11, 12. A fine doxology closes the Psalm, 13. NOTES ON PSALM XLI The title as before. The Syriac says it was "A Psalm of David, when he appointed overseers to take care of the poor." The Arabic says, "It is a prophecy concerning the incarnation; and also of the salutation of Judas." It appears to me to have been written on the same occasion as the three former, and to relate to David's malady and cure, and the evil treatment he had from his enemies during his affliction. Our Lord, by accommodation, applies the ninth verse to the treachery of Judas, John 13:18; but as to any other direct reference to Christ, or his history, I believe the Psalm has none. Verse 1. Blessed is he that considereth] God is merciful; he will have man to resemble him: as far as he is merciful, feels a compassionate heart, and uses a benevolent hand, he resembles his Maker; and the mercy he shows to others God will show to him. But it is not a sudden impression at the sight of a person in distress, which obliges a man to give something for the relief of the sufferer, that constitutes the merciful character. It is he who considers the poor; who endeavours to find them out; who looks into their circumstances; who is in the habit of doing so; and actually, according to his power and means, goes about to do good; that is the merciful man, of whom God speaks with such high approbation, and to whom he promises a rich reward.

1–3. The blessings in store for the compassionate man.

Blessed is he - See the notes at Psalms 1:1. Literally, “Oh the blessings of him that considers the poor.” The object is to describe the advantages of doing what is here said; or the excellence of

1. Considereth the poor—A duty of the first rank in Christian morality. It is a discreet and appreciative care, flowing from a true sympathy in the welfare both of soul and body. See Matthew 25:36.