Psalms 41 · Verse 1

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.
Psalms 41:1, King James Version

Psalms 41:1 in other translations

BSBFor the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. Blessed is the one who cares for the poor; the LORD will deliver him in the day of trouble.
WEBFor the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. Blessed is he who considers the poor. The LORD will deliver him in the day of evil.
ASVFor the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. Blessed is he that considereth the poor: Jehovah will deliver him in the day of evil.
YLTTo 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.
DARBYTo the chief Musician. A Psalm of David. Blessed is he that understandeth the poor: Jehovah will deliver him in the day of evil.
BBEHappy is the man who gives thought to the poor; the Lord will be his saviour in the time of trouble.
WebsterTo the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in the time of trouble.

What does Psalms 41:1 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 41:1-3

Psa 41:1-13. The Psalmist celebrates the blessedness of those who compassionate the poor, conduct strongly contrasted with the spite of his enemies and neglect of his friends in his calamity. He prays for God's mercy in view of his ill desert, and, in confidence of relief, and that God will vindicate his cause, he closes with a doxology.

1-3. God rewards kindness to the poor (Pr 19:17). From Psa 41:2, 11 it may be inferred that the Psalmist describes his own conduct. poor--in person, position, and possessions.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Introduction

The blessedness of the man who is merciful to the poor, Psa 41:1-3. The psalmist complains of his enemies, and prays for support, Psa 41:4-10; and blesses God for having heard his prayer, and preserved him from his adversaries, Psa 41:11, Psa 41:12. A fine doxology closes the Psalm, Psa 41:13. 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, Joh 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 endeavors 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.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Psalms 41:1-4
The people of God are not free from poverty, sickness, or outward affliction, but the Lord will consider their case, and send due supplies. From his Lord's example the believer learns to consider his poor and afflicted brethren. This branch of godliness is usually recompensed with temporal blessings. But nothing is so distressing to the contrite believer, as a fear or sense of the Divine displeasure, or of sin in his heart. Sin is the sickness of the soul; pardoning mercy heals it, renewing grace heals it, and for this spiritual healing we should be more earnest than for bodily health.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Psalms 41:1 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

אַ֭שְׁרֵי'Ash.reihow blessed!H835
מַשְׂכִּ֣ילmas.Kil[is one who] considersH7919
אֶל\־'el-<to>H413
דָּ֑לDal[the] poorH1800
בְּי֥וֹםbe.Yomin a day ofH3117
רָ֝עָ֗הra.'AhtroubleH7451
יְֽמַלְּטֵ֥הוּye.ma.le.Te.huhe will deliver himH4422
יְהוָֽה\׃Yah.wehYahwehH3068

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Psalms 41:1

  • Proverbs 19:17

    He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.

  • Proverbs 14:21

    He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.

  • 2 Corinthians 9:8-14

    And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. …

  • 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.

  • 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: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? …

  • Psalms 37:39-40

    But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: he is their strength in the time of trouble. And the Lord shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.

  • James 2:13

    For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

  • 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.

  • Psalms 37:19

    They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.

  • Psalms 112:9

    He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.

  • Isaiah 58:7-11

    Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward. Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday: …

  • Mark 14:7

    For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1 The recompence of the charitable.
4 David complains of his enemies' treachery.
10 He flees to God for succour.

(Title.)This Psalm is supposed to have been written on the same occasion as the three former; and to relate to David's affliction, and the evil treatment he received from his enemies during its continuance.
Blessed.
112:9; De 15:7-11; Job 29:12-16; 31:16-20; Pr 14:21; 19:17
Ec 11:1,2; Isa 58:7-11; Mr 14:7; Lu 14:13,14; 2Co 9:8-14; Ga 2:10
the poor. or, the weak, or sick.
Mt 25:34-39; Ac 20:35; 1Th 5:14
Lord.
34:19; 37:26,39,40; Heb 6:10; Jas 2:13
time of trouble. Heb. the day of evil.
37:19; Pr 16:14; Ec 12:1; Re 3:10

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 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.

  • Psalms 41:2

    The Lord will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies.

Read all of Psalms 41

Psalms 41:1 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Al Músico principal: Salmo de David. BIENAVENTURADO el que piensa en el pobre: en el día malo lo librará Jehová.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Au chef de musique. Psaume de David.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Glückselig, wer achthat auf den Armen! am Tage des Übels wird Jehova ihn erretten.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		In finem. Intellectus filiis Core.