Bible Strands
Psalms 41:1
For 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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — David, addressed to the choirmaster for liturgical use. No specific occasion is named.
The words — מַשׂכִּיל (maskîl) literally means "one who considers or understands," not merely "cares for," implying discernment rather than reflexive charity.
The thread — Proverbs 14:21 pairs the same ashrei formula with kindness to the poor; Proverbs 19:17 reframes the act as a loan to Yahweh with guaranteed repayment.
Why it lands — It ties a present action (attending to the poor) to a future crisis (the day of trouble) and names Yahweh as the deliverer, making the connection concrete rather than abstract.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 19:17 Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.
- Proverbs 14:21 He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who shows kindness to the poor.
- 2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
- Acts 20:35 In everything, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
- Matthew 25:34 Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
- Psalms 37:39 The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their stronghold in time of trouble.
- James 2:13 For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
- Psalms 37:19 In the time of evil they will not be ashamed, and in the days of famine they will be satisfied.
- Hebrews 6:10 For God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name as you have ministered to the saints and continue to do so.
- Psalms 112:9 He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn will be lifted high in honor.