Psalms 41:1

Blessed Or, happy, as in Psalms 41:2, and in Psalms 1:1. The word is to be distinguished from blessedin the doxology of Psalms 41:13, the tribute of human reverence to divine majesty. The last Psalm in Book I begins like the first with a beatitude.

that considereth the poor Behaves considerately and intelligently towards those in affliction, shewing kindness and sympathy, and not judging them harshly. Cp. for illustration Psalms 35:13-14; James 1:27. The word rendered pooris different from that in Psalms 40:17. It means weak, and includes the sick as well as the poor. The sequel shews that it is the sick that the Psalmist has chiefly in mind. The P.B.V. the poor and needyfollows the LXX, which may have been influenced by Psalms 40:17.

in time of trouble R.V. in the day of evil, though in the day of troubleis given in Psalms 27:5 for the same phrase.