Blessed is he that understandeth concerning the needy and the poor: the Lord will deliver him in the evil day.
אַ֭שְׁרֵי מַשְׂכִּ֣יל אֶל־דָּ֑ל בְּי֥וֹם רָ֝עָ֗ה יְֽמַלְּטֵ֥הוּ יְהוָֽה׃
11 Church Fathers comment on this verse · 14 commentaries
What day does the Bible frequently refer to as a day of great wrath? A day marked by disaster, judgment, and suffering. In another passage, it is written, "Blessed is he who considers the poor and the needy! In the day of trouble, the Lord will deliver him." This refers to the day of impending judgment, which will be daunting and fearsome for those who have sinned.
Honoring Christ
All believers live in the name of Christ, each fulfilling His commandments according to their own circumstances, whether in marriage, singlehood, or celibacy. They embrace the life that the Lord has ordained for them, relying not on their own strength, but taking pride only in Him. Do not ask me, “Who can accomplish this?” For He who dwells within me will reach out to those in need: the rich to the poor, and the filled to the empty. In this mindset, one will not look down upon Christ's humble state, but will recognize His abundant grace and be blessed in this life, safeguarded from the adversary who attempts to convince him that God deserves honor for spiritual gifts while the devil is honored for material gains.
The Beatitudes of Christ
Initially, those who are blessed are acknowledged as separate from wickedness—here, the discernment of righteousness is considered blessed. The essence of goodness is embodied by the only begotten Son of God, who, out of love for humanity, became impoverished despite His richness (2 Cor. 8:9). This earthly humility, revealed through the Gospel, is hinted at in the words praising Him who rightly comprehended this state of lowliness—distinctly poor in the guise of a servant yet exalted in the nature of His divine existence. The Psalmist, referring to Him as ‘poor and needy’ at the outset, concludes this passage by proclaiming, Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Let it be so (Psalm 40:14).
Blessed is the one who comprehends the plight of the impoverished and the destitute. He refers to Christ as lowly and afflicted, as stated, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor” (2 Cor. 8:9). The Psalmist chooses to emphasize moral instruction over prophetic insight, intending for the psalm to serve both purposes. To whom does he extend honor? To “the one who has insight for the poor and the needy,” meaning the individual who recognizes that Christ, though wealthy, became impoverished to enable us to show compassion toward the destitute, as siblings of our Creator and Judge. Thus, blessed is he who views the needy rightly, or who grasps the self-imposed poverty that Christ embraced for our sake.
What benefit arises from this poverty? The Lord will rescue him on the day of reckoning—this speaks of the judgment day, which will bring ailment and toil to transgressors. Yet the Lord will save the poor, rewarding them with compassion, as He received their assistance during His time on earth, and He expressed through Solomon, “He who is generous to the poor lends to the Lord” (Proverbs 19:17), and in His own words, “Inasmuch as you did it to one of these ... the least of these, you did it to Me” (Matthew 25:40). “In the day of adversity, the Lord will save him.” “The day of adversity” refers to attacks from temptation and persecution by adversaries. It is understood that the judgment day will be dreadful and devastating for the wicked. This assurance promises that a deep awareness of Christ's poverty will rescue him from the tragedies of that fearful day.
Recognize Christ Blessed is he who recognizes the poverty and humiliation of Christ. He became a beggar for our benefit, possessing great wealth: abundant in the kingdom while being poor in the flesh, having taken on our human form, which is destitute. We found ourselves in dire need when we were stripped of the precious garments of virtue through the treachery of the serpent, when we lost paradise, were driven from our homeland, cast into exile, and left in a state of bodily nakedness.
Therefore, grasp the concept of Christ in His poverty so that you may become rich; perceive Him in His weakness so that you may find healing; contemplate His suffering on the cross, and you will never experience shame; recognize His wounds, and your afflictions will be mended; understand Him in His death, that you may attain eternal life; and reflect on His burial, and you will rise anew.
The Day of Judgment will bring great severity, and it fills us with fear. It is perceived as a disaster by all, as it is fraught with dread. On that day, God will assess not just the visible deeds of humanity, but also the secret intentions. Each person will be required to reveal their actions and thoughts. As a result, many will face judgment while few will receive the crown of victory.
Blessed is the one who considers the poor and those in need (Psalm 40:2). Attune your hearts, those of you beginning to grasp the secrets of the Lord's Passion. It is said, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear" (Luke 8:8). In the Gospel, the Lord healed the deaf-mute, enabling him to understand what he heard secretly and to articulate it at the appointed time. It is not mentioned without purpose: "The Lord has given Me the tongue of the learned, that I may know how to speak a word in season" (Isaiah 50:4). You shall comprehend what you hear, what you are to say, and when to say it. Listen to Him who speaks: Blessed is he who ponders the plight of the poor and the needy (Psalm 40:2).
Blessed is the one who shows mercy to those in hardship, who empathizes with their struggles, and recognizes the great harm that poverty inflicts. But what does it mean to begin to discuss the Lord's Passion in this context? Indeed, He suffered for the sake of the impoverished, yet when Judas remarked about the precious ointment that Mary had anointed Jesus with, saying, “You could have sold it for three hundred denarii and given the money to the poor” (Mark 14:5), Christ rebuked him. The other apostles shared a similar sentiment, though motivated by compassion rather than greed; Judas aimed to steal, while the disciples' intentions were to assist the hungry. The Lord responded to them all, “Leave her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me” (John 12:7-8). Therefore, another is blessed who reflects on the impoverished and afflicted (Psalm 40:2). Here, faith is interlinked with mercy; thus, faith comes first, followed by mercy. With authentic faith, mercy becomes valuable; without faith, it is hollow and unstable, for faith serves as the solid foundation for all virtues. Blessed, then, is the one who contemplates the poverty and affliction of Christ, who, though rich, became poor for our sake; rich in the heavens, yet poor in earthly existence, for He embraced the flesh of the needy. We became exceedingly poor due to the serpent's deceit, stripped of the cherished garment of virtues, expelled from paradise, cast into exile, and deprived of our homeland as well as our physical coverings. Previously, we were encompassed by a wall of virtues, but now our sins have left us exposed. While He experienced poverty and need in the flesh, He also endured suffering pertinent to that flesh. Thus, He suffered not from His own abundance but from our destitution; it was not the fullness of the divine nature dwelling in Him, as attested by Scripture, but rather the flesh that bore the sufferings. You must grasp this, adhere to it, and hold it dearly, lest it be said of you that He failed to care for the poor and destitute. If you ever waver in doubt, consider the verse that speaks of Judas’ betrayal of the Savior; you cannot dispute the subsequent line, “And he pursued the poor and destitute” (Psalms 108:16). Contemplate Christ’s poverty to enrich your soul; focus on His weakness to attain salvation; reflect on His cross that you may find courage; consider His wounds to mend your own; remember His death that you may gain eternal life; meditate on His burial to discover resurrection! You might inquire, “How could Christ be rich in His poverty?” Even in my limitations, Scripture offers clarity. The apostle explains, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9). What then is this poverty that enriches us? Let us contemplate it, as we turn to the profound sacrament. What could be more pure and simple? No one is sprinkled with the blood of bulls as in pagan rituals; the sinner is not cleansed with the blood of goats and sheep, where the flesh may be washed but not the sin. Yet, as Scripture states, “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation” (Isaiah 12:3), and the heavenly feast is set before you, with a beautiful cup to drink from (Psalm 22:5). This represents the richness found in simplicity, which encompasses the precious poverty of Christ. Good poverty exists in demeanor, echoing the words of the Lord: “Blessed are the poor in spirit” (Matthew 5:3), and the Psalms affirm that the Lord saves the humble in spirit (Psalm 33:19). Even in a small offering, if faith abounds, poverty can be rich. Hence, the apostle says, "For to their power I bear record, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves" (2 Corinthians 8:3). We also understand from His words that He referred to Himself as a beggar. Written elsewhere is, "I am poor and sorrowful" (Psalm 68:30), for He bears the suffering of our transgressions, as it is noted that in Him, there is no cause for suffering. He suffers on our behalf, as Isaiah saw in vision; He was troubled for us, which is why He declared, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even unto death," not because of death itself. He identified the flesh as weak, surrendering it to the frailty of death to overcome its sting and grant us liberation on the Day of Judgment, which He did not casually refer to as evil. It is precisely what He indicated when He added, "In the evil day the Lord will deliver him" (Psalm 40:2), for that day will be bitter when He judges the multitudes and metes out punishment. The path of virtue is narrow, while the path of sin is broad, leading few to follow virtue, while the majority remain in vice. Consequently, the number of those who will receive reward is far fewer than those destined for a lamentable fate due to grievous sins. The Lord spoke of the Day of Judgment with sorrow; while angels rejoice at the repentance of a single sinner, many more will suffer condemnation! The Lord wept for the lost sheep, which He carried back with love. The Son of God speaks tenderly to us, knowing the Day of Judgment, which brings us trepidation, is indeed harsh. It is seen as evil by all, for it is fraught with terror. On that day, God will scrutinize not only the manifest sins of humanity, but also the hidden ones. Every individual will be compelled to disclose their actions and thoughts. Thus, many will face judgment, while few will receive the crown. Even those who are crowned will experience grief and pain; the righteous, upon receiving their crown, will empathetically bear the suffering of their brethren. Who am I to judge the day when a person is ushered into the company of angels? Let us heed the words of the Lord: "The hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth; those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment" (John 5:28-29). Therefore, those who have committed evil will face judgment, which is why the Judge Himself labels this day as evil and dire, so that you might understand He, who showed us compassion in the Gospel, also demonstrated compassion through the prophets. The phrase “in the evil day” (Psalm 40:2) can be understood as “in a time of wickedness,” for the world is under the sway of evil (1 John 5:19), and the days of this world are filled with darkness, each day abundant with its own trials. What a blessing it is if we can be liberated from the snares of sin! Those who conquer sin in this life will be spared punishment in the next and will be sheltered from the severity of judgment. Hence, we require prayers, daily supplications, and the intercession of our High Priest, of whom the Evangelist John declares: "We have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, and He is the propitiation for our sins" (1 John 2:1-2). He intercedes for those who know and trust in Christ, declaring, "The Lord will preserve him, and will revive him, and honor him with bliss" (Psalm 40:3). He will safeguard him from dangers, revive even those trapped in the shadows of death, and adorn him with joy through an abundance of good deeds.
When performing a good deed, one must consider the factors of age and frailty, along with the humility that often accompanies noble lineage. It is imperative to provide more support to the elderly who can no longer sustain themselves through work. Similarly, physical weakness should be prioritized for assistance. Moreover, if a wealthy individual finds themselves in poverty—particularly through no wrongdoing of their own, but due to theft, dispossession, or false accusations—they warrant special attention and aid.
Blessed is the one who comprehends the plight of the impoverished and the destitute. While the term ‘beggar’ appears in some lists, it is absent in the Hebrew, Syriac, and other translations. The Prophet refers to the Lord of all creation as a beggar because 'He is rich,' as the holy Apostle affirms, 'for our sakes He became poor, that we through His poverty might be enriched' (2 Cor. 8:9); and, 'Though in the form of God, He did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but humbled Himself, taking on the form of a servant' (Phil. 2:6-7). The One who rules over both the seen and unseen realms had nowhere to rest His head; being born of the Virgin without a proper bed, He was placed in a manger.
Thus, the prophetic message honors those who recognize this state of poverty and seek in whatever way they can to exalt Him who embraced it. The Prophet then illustrates the results of such exaltation. The Lord will rescue him in the day of tribulation. The phrase 'the day of fierce fury' is rendered by Symmachus as 'the day of bitterness.' The Prophet seems to convey, in my view, a reference to the day of judgment, which is terrifying and damaging to the wicked, assuring that a clear awareness of this suffering will lead to salvation from the misfortunes of that dreadful day.
Blessed is the one who perceives the plight of the poor and the needy. To possess understanding signifies a capacity for proper thought, for true understanding encompasses wisdom in various matters. David frequently refers to a beggar along with those who struggle to provide for themselves. The ancients termed a beggar as one who fears, as he is often in fear of all around him; likewise, a wretch is someone who begs for sustenance through hard work.
Therefore, blessed is he who comprehends the true condition of the poor and the needy, extending compassion and assistance to them; such a person acknowledges a debt to God Himself, as declared by Solomon, “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord” (Proverbs 19:17), and this is affirmed by Christ, who taught, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:40). While these words pertain to the humble beggar, they also hold profound significance, as expounded by Cyril, Theodoret, and Eusebius, referring to Christ. Truly blessed is the one who understands Christ well, recognizing Him as God, who lived in humility on earth, having “nowhere to lay His head.” This comprehension comes from the teachings and miracles He performed.
Moreover, wisdom dictates that one should not overlook the poor but rather reflect: if you were in their shoes, what would you wish from others? Recognize that they are as worthy and dignified as you. For this reason, Christ, though rich, took upon Himself poverty so that we could show mercy to His needy brethren. It is also essential to understand that the Scripture does not mention the poor in the same way as later interpretations do. The blessedness is not only in the act of giving but in doing so with discernment. Some who lack resources may share our faith while others do not, and if you can wisely discern where to extend your generosity—first to those of the faith and then to others—you are blessed. However, if you disregard the hungry among the faithful and support the wicked instead, you lack true understanding of the needy and cannot claim the blessed title.
As the wise advise, let your actions be guided by discernment. On the ominous day, the Lord will rescue the one who understands the plight of the poor. The "fierce day" mentioned refers to the time of judgment, similar to the phrase “evil time.” On that day, the beggar you have aided may come before you as a testimony during your judgment, bringing salvation from punishment. The Lord, having received your charity, owes you mercy. As Solomon affirmed, giving to the poor is akin to giving to God. Cyril adds that those who grasp the humility of the Lord and praise Him for it shall be saved in the day of trial, a time of great tribulation and opposition, not because the day is inherently wicked but due to the trials it brings.
Compassion towards those who show kindness is essential. A person who lacks mercy cannot expect to receive God's grace, just as one who has not been compassionate to the cries of the needy cannot plead for God's justice.
I urge you, dear ones, to uphold the command of love by keeping in mind both those in need and your own well-being. Strive, as much as you can, to see Christ in each person who requires assistance. He is unwavering in His invitation to us to care for the poor, assuring us that in serving them, we are serving Him, for He is present in their vulnerability—Christ our Lord. Remember, my beloved, that we, as shepherds, are instructed to encourage you to commit yourselves earnestly to acts of compassion.
We assist ourselves when we lend a hand to those in need, as our efforts ultimately benefit us. If we keep in mind the promise of future rewards, everything we do for the less fortunate will be seen as gain. As the prophet states: Blessed is he who considers the poor and the needy! In the day of trouble, the Lord will rescue him.
Numerous interpreters believe that the text generally commends the virtues of humanity, particularly in its attention to the needs of the impoverished and suffering. However, others delve deeper into the Prophet's intent, suggesting he specifically honors those who, with careful discernment, communicate compassionately about those who are unfortunate, basing their understanding on the term “understanding.” To grasp the essence of the Prophet’s proclamation of these individuals as blessed, we must first recognize that David stood in stark contrast to the opinions of heartless individuals. These individuals, observing his trials, perceived him as abandoned, much like Job, who was judged lawless by his friends while enduring great suffering.
This reflects a prevailing human flaw: we often hastily judge the destitute and afflicted, deeming them deserving of divine punishment. Such a tendency toward judgement has been a constant throughout history and remains present today. God repeatedly asserts that He tests His faithful for various reasons—sometimes to teach patience, sometimes to restrain fleshly desires, at times to humble arrogance, and at others to inspire contemplation of heavenly matters. Yet, we frequently dismiss these truths, shamelessly indulging in the vice of condemnation. We often criticize the downtrodden and assign those bearing the weight of trials to despair, while celebrating the seemingly prosperous. In this light, the Prophet designates as blessed those who evade such misguided thoughts, who carefully discern between punishment and its execution, thereby mitigating the harshness inherent in mankind through the wisdom of the spirit. The essence of his message is clear: Blessed is the person who comprehends the situation of the poor and the needy. In the subsequent statement, "In the day of woe the Lord will deliver him," the Prophet either advocates for the poor or speaks for himself, succinctly praising the virtue of compassion that ought to guide our treatment of the downtrodden. The crux of his message is that even if God appears temporarily indifferent, He will ultimately show mercy, transforming their end into joy beyond human imagination. The "day of judgment" referenced here signifies the final judgment, which will ultimately usher in righteous recompense.
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS