Blessed is he that considers the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.
(Title.
Blessed
Psalm 112:9 He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.
Deuteronomy 15:7-11 If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: …
Job 29:12-16 Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him…
the poor, or the week, or the sick
Matthew 25:34-39 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: …
Acts 20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
1 Thessalonians 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
Lord
Psalm 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
Psalm 37:26,39,40 He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed…
Hebrews 6:10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
time of trouble [heb.
Psalm 37:19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
Proverbs 16:14 The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.
Ecclesiastes 12:1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;
A Psalm of David.
Attributed to King David, this psalm reflects his experiences and insights. David, as a shepherd, warrior, and king, faced numerous challenges and often expressed his reliance on God. His authorship lends the psalm authority and authenticity, as David is a central figure in biblical history, known for his deep relationship with God and his role in establishing Jerusalem as the center of worship.
Blessed is the one who cares for the poor;
This phrase highlights a key biblical principle: the blessing associated with caring for the needy. The Hebrew concept of "blessed" implies a state of happiness and divine favor. Caring for the poor is a recurring theme in Scripture, reflecting God's heart for justice and mercy (Proverbs 19:17, Isaiah 58:6-7). It underscores the moral and ethical responsibility of believers to act with compassion and generosity.
the LORD will deliver him in the day of trouble.
This promise of divine deliverance connects to the broader biblical narrative of God's faithfulness to those who act righteously. The "day of trouble" can refer to any time of distress or adversity. The assurance of God's protection is a common theme in the Psalms (Psalm 34:17, Psalm 50:15). It also foreshadows the ultimate deliverance through Jesus Christ, who embodies God's salvation and deliverance for humanity.
- “For the choirmaster” tells us this psalm was meant to be sung in public worship, not tucked away for private contemplation.
- God loves orderly, celebratory praise. David consistently handed his songs to the chief musician (see Psalm 4, 8, 12), and the Levites led Israel in joyful worship (1 Chronicles 15:22; 16:42).
- New-covenant believers continue the pattern: “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs” (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). Corporate praise cements truth in our hearts and unites the family of God.
- The superscription anchors the song in real history. David—shepherd, king, and “a man after My own heart” (Acts 13:22)—knew both palace abundance and cave poverty. His experiences give weight to every line.
- Because Scripture is God-breathed (2 Samuel 23:1–2), David’s words are not mere poetry; they are Spirit-delivered truth we can rely on today.
“Blessed is the one who cares for the poor”.
- “Blessed” carries the idea of deep, settled happiness rooted in God’s favor (cf. Psalm 1:1; Matthew 5:3–12).
- “Cares for” is more than a passing handout. It includes:
• Attentive compassion (Proverbs 14:21, 31)
• Tangible generosity (Proverbs 19:17; 22:9)
• Advocacy and dignity (James 1:27)
• Heartfelt sharing, not token charity (1 John 3:17)
- Such care reflects God’s own character: “He has scattered abroad His gifts to the poor” (Psalm 112:9). We mirror the King when we lift the needy.
“The LORD will deliver him in the day of trouble”.
- God ties a promise to the prior command: compassionate living invites divine rescue when hardship hits.
- Scripture repeats this theme:
• “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you” (Psalm 50:15).
• “The righteous cry out, and the LORD delivers them from all their troubles” (Psalm 34:17).
• “If you pour yourself out for the hungry… the LORD will satisfy your desire” (Isaiah 58:10–11).
- Deliverance may come as protection, provision, or strength to endure (Psalm 91:15; 2 Timothy 4:18). Whichever form it takes, God’s intervention is certain.
Psalm 41:1 links compassion and deliverance. David signals that public worship should proclaim this truth: God smiles on those who look after the vulnerable, and He pledges real help when their own crises arise. Caring for the poor is not optional philanthropy; it is covenant living that draws heaven’s blessing and rescue.
(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. 2Samuel 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. Psalm 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."
Verse 1. - Blessed is he that considereth the poor. David had concluded the preceding psalm by calling himself "poor and needy." He commences the present one by pronouncing a blessing on all those who "consider," or tenderly regard, and, so far as they can, assist the peer and afflicted. It is not so much actual poverty, as humiliation and weakness, of which he is speaking. The Lord will deliver him in time of trouble; literally, in the day of evil. As he has pity on his fellow-men, so God will have pity upon him (comp. Matthew 6:14, 15; Matthew 10:42; Matthew 18:33; Proverbs 19:17; Ecclesiastes 11:1, etc.).