It's not just about giving money to the poor; the Hebrew word here implies a deeper, wiser understanding of their situation, a kind of thoughtful engagement that recognizes their humanity and potential struggles. This compassionate consideration isn't just a one-time act but a way of being, and God promises to repay this kindness with His own deliverance when you face trouble.
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This psalm opens with a powerful declaration of blessedness for those who show compassion, contrasting sharply with the harshness David experienced from his enemies and the neglect of his friends during his suffering. He's not just talking about a fleeting act of kindness, but a consistent, wise consideration for those in need, which he models in the following verses. The psalm then transitions into David's personal lament and prayer, seeking God's mercy amidst his own affliction and the treachery of those around him.
Think about the last time you saw someone struggling. Was it just a quick feeling, or did you truly engage with their situation? This verse calls for something deeper than a fleeting emotion.
The Hebrew word translated as 'considers' here isn't just about feeling sorry for someone. It implies a deep, thoughtful engagement. It means to understand, to think wisely about their situation, and to act with prudence and tenderness.
Beyond a Passing Glance
It's a habit of the heart and a practice of life, not a one-time act.
When you hear 'the poor,' what comes to mind? This Psalm points to a specific kind of person whose needs invite a divine response.
The word used for 'poor' in this verse, especially when considering the context of the Psalm, can refer not only to those lacking material possessions but also to the weak, the sick, the suffering, or those 'sick at heart.'
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Faces of Need
Considering these vulnerable individuals, in all their forms of need, is what this verse commends.
Life throws curveballs. We all face 'days of trouble.' What does this verse promise when we live a life of compassionate consideration?
The second part of the verse is a powerful promise: 'the LORD delivers him in time of trouble.' This isn't a general platitude; it's a divine guarantee linked directly to the act of considering the poor.
God's Reciprocal Mercy
It's a beautiful picture of how our faithfulness to God's vulnerable is met with His faithful deliverance for us.
Understand the original words
ashrei · Hebrew Adjective/Interjection
A state of spiritual prosperity, joy, and divine favor pronounced upon someone who lives in accordance with God's will. It describes a condition of well-being that is independent of outward circumstances.
dal · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
Those who are needy, destitute, or oppressed; biblically, it refers not only to the economically poor but also to those who are humble and dependent upon God for help.
YHWH · Hebrew Noun
The covenant name of God (YHWH), revealing Him as the self-existent, faithful, and redeeming God of Israel who intervenes in human history.
ra'ah · Hebrew Noun
A state of distress, calamity, or adversity; it refers to times of crisis where one faces external danger or internal suffering and is in desperate need of divine intervention.
malat · Hebrew Verb
To rescue, save, or liberate from danger; it implies active intervention by God to remove His people from situations that threaten their life or righteousness.
choli · Hebrew Noun
A condition of physical or mental failure; biblically it often serves as a metaphor for divine discipline or a time of testing, highlighting human frailty and the need for God's restoration.
This passage directly echoes the promise in Psalm 41:1, stating that kindness shown to the poor is a loan to the Lord, who will repay the giver, highlighting the reciprocal divine favor.
Matthew 5:7Jesus' Beatitude 'Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy' strongly parallels Psalm 41:1's theme that compassion for the vulnerable leads to God's own deliverance and favor.
Matthew 25:35-40This passage, where Jesus identifies himself with the least of these, shows that ministering to the poor and needy is, in essence, ministering to Him, reinforcing the divine significance of considering the poor mentioned in Psalm 41:1.
Luke 6:38The principle of 'giving' and receiving a 'good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over' directly supports the idea in Psalm 41:1 that generous consideration for the poor is met with abundant divine blessing and deliverance.
2 Corinthians 9:6-8This passage explains that cheerful giving leads to God's abundant provision and enables continued generosity, resonating with Psalm 41:1's assurance that considering the poor results in God's deliverance and blessing.
clarkePsalms 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."
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…
bensonPsalms 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."
Psalm 41:1 . Blessed is he that considereth the poor — Or, poor man; that conducts himself wisely and prudently toward him; as משׂכיל , maschil, properly signifies, that does not rashly and foolishly censure and condemn him, much less insult over him, but considers his case with prudence and tenderness, remembering it may be his own, and therefore pities…
It's not just about giving money to the poor; the Hebrew word here implies a deeper, wiser understanding of their situation, a kind of thoughtful engagement that recognizes their humanity and potential struggles. This compassionate consideration isn't just a one-time act but a way of being, and God promises to repay this kindness with His own deliverance when you face trouble.
This psalm opens with a powerful declaration of blessedness for those who show compassion, contrasting sharply with the harshness David experienced from his enemies and the neglect of his friends during his suffering. He's not just talking about a fleeting act of kindness, but a consistent, wise consideration for those in need, which he models in the following verses. The psalm then transitions into David's personal lament and prayer, seeking God's mercy amidst his own affliction and the treachery of those around him.
This psalm opens with a powerful declaration of blessedness for those who show compassion, contrasting sharply with the harshness David experienced from his enemies and the neglect of his friends during his suffering. He's not just talking about a fleeting act of kindness, but a consistent, wise consideration for those in need, which he models in the following verses. The psalm then transitions into David's personal lament and prayer, seeking God's mercy amidst his own affliction and the treachery of those around him.
"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.…" — It's not just about giving money to the poor; the Hebrew word here implies a deeper, wiser understanding of their situation, a kind of thoughtful engagement that recognizes their humanity and potenti…
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Last reviewed October 2026
