The Meaning of Psalms 41:1 Explained

Psalms 41:1

KJV: {To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.} Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.

YLT: To 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.

Darby: {To the chief Musician. A Psalm of David.} Blessed is he that understandeth the poor: Jehovah will deliver him in the day of evil.

ASV: Blessed is he that considereth the poor: Jehovah will deliver him in the day of evil.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

{{To the chief Musician,  A Psalm  of David.  }} Blessed  [is] he that considereth  the poor:  the LORD  will deliver  him in time  of trouble. 

What does Psalms 41:1 Mean?

Verse Meaning

This verse succinctly states the lesson this whole psalm teaches. God blesses people who take care of those who cannot care for themselves, and He delivers them when they need help. "Blessed is" begins and closes the first book of Psalm (cf. Psalm 1:1), forming an inclusio or envelope for this part of the collection.

Context Summary

Psalms 41:1-13 - "lord, Heal My Soul"
This psalm was probably composed, with the adjacent ones, during the four years in which Absalom's conspiracy was being hatched. Perhaps the anxiety thus caused induced some serious illness, over which David's enemies exulted with unseemly glee. His sensitive nature was evidently greatly pained. But who does not realize the applicability of the psalm to the betrayal of our Lord? Psalms 41:9 is quoted in John 13:18.
In the day of trouble, when enemies oppose, Psalms 41:5-8, and friends prove false, Psalms 41:9, God draws near. Look after God's poor and He will care for you in the evil day. The blessings that you have endeavored to communicate will return to your own comfort in the hour of tribulation. God will make (or change) your bed in sickness, Psalms 41:3; will heal your soul, Psalms 41:4; and will set you before His face forever, Psalms 41:12. What a sweet conception of God as nurse in the room where feet must be shod with velvet and voices speak in gentlest tones!
For Review Questions, see the e-Sword Book Comments. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 41

1  The recompense of the charitable
4  David complains of his enemies' treachery
10  He flees to God for helpfulness

What do the individual words in Psalms 41:1 mean?

to the Chief Musician a Psalm of David Blessed [is] he who considers unto the poor in time of trouble will deliver him Yahweh
לַמְנַצֵּ֗חַ מִזְמ֥וֹר לְדָוִֽד אַ֭שְׁרֵי מַשְׂכִּ֣יל אֶל־ דָּ֑ל בְּי֥וֹם רָ֝עָ֗ה יְֽמַלְּטֵ֥הוּ יְהוָֽה

לַמְנַצֵּ֗חַ  to  the  Chief  Musician 
Parse: Preposition-l, Article, Verb, Piel, Participle, masculine singular
Root: נָצַח  
Sense: to excel, be bright, be preeminent, be perpetual, be overseer, be enduring.
מִזְמ֥וֹר  a  Psalm 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: מִזְמֹור  
Sense: melody, psalm.
לְדָוִֽד  of  David 
Parse: Preposition-l, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: דָּוִד  
Sense: youngest son of Jesse and second king of Israel.
אַ֭שְׁרֵי  Blessed  [is] 
Parse: Interjection
Root: אֶשֶׁר 
Sense: happiness, blessedness.
מַשְׂכִּ֣יל  he  who  considers 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Participle, masculine singular
Root: שָׂכַל 
Sense: to be prudent, be circumspect, wisely understand, prosper.
אֶל־  unto 
Parse: Preposition
Root: אֶל  
Sense: to, toward, unto (of motion).
דָּ֑ל  the  poor 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: דַּל  
Sense: low, poor, weak, thin, one who is low.
בְּי֥וֹם  in  time 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: יׄום 
Sense: day, time, year.
רָ֝עָ֗ה  of  trouble 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: רַע 
Sense: bad, evil.
יְֽמַלְּטֵ֥הוּ  will  deliver  him 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Imperfect, third person masculine singular, third person masculine singular
Root: מָלַט 
Sense: to slip away, escape, deliver, save, be delivered.
יְהוָֽה  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.