Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 41:1

"Blessed is he that considereth the poor: Jehovah will deliver him in the day of evil." — Psalms 41:1 (ASV)

Blessed is he - See the notes at (Psalms 1:1). Literally, “Oh the blessings of him who considers the poor.” The object is to describe the advantages of doing what is said here, or the excellence of the spirit that would be manifested in such a case, and the effect this would have on his own happiness. These happy effects are described in the remainder of this verse and in the two following verses.

That considereth - The word used here - from שׂכל (śâkal) - means properly to look at, to behold; then, to be prudent or circumspect; then, to attend to; and then in general to act prudently, wisely, intelligently, in any case. Here it means to attend to; to show an interest in; to care for. The idea is that of not neglecting; not passing by; not being indifferent to; not being hard-hearted and uncharitable toward.

The poor - Margin, “the weak,” or “the sick.” The word used in the Hebrew - דל (dal) - means properly something hanging or swinging, as of pendulous boughs or branches; and then, that which is weak, feeble, or powerless. Thus it comes to denote those who are feeble and helpless either by poverty or by disease, and is used with a general reference to those who are in a low or humble condition, and who need the aid of others.

The statement here is of a general nature - that he is blessed who shows proper sympathy for all of that class: for those who need the sympathy of others from any cause - poverty, sickness, a low condition, or trouble. The particular thing referred to here was a case of sickness, where one was borne down by disease, perhaps brought on by mental sorrow, and when he particularly needed the sympathy of his friends. See (Psalms 41:5–8).

The Lord will deliver him in time of trouble - Margin, as in Hebrew: “in the day of evil.” This is the first happy effect or result of showing proper sympathy with others in their troubles. It is a statement of the general principle that the Lord will deal with us as we do with others. See this principle stated and illustrated in (Psalms 18:24–26).