Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 1. Blessed is he that considereth ] God is merciful; he will have man to resemble him: as far as he is merciful, feels a compassionate heart, and uses a benevolent hand, he resembles his Maker; and the mercy he shows to others God will show to him. But it is not a sudden impression at the sight of a person in distress, which obliges a man to give something for the relief of the sufferer, that constitutes the merciful character. It is he who considers the poor; who endeavours to find them out; who looks into their circumstances; who is in the habit of doing so; and actually, according to his power and means, goes about to do good; that is the merciful man, of whom God speaks with such high approbation, and to whom he promises a rich reward.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-4 - The people of God are not free from poverty, sickness, or outwar affliction, but the Lord will consider their case, and send du supplies. From his Lord's example the believer learns to consider his poor and afflicted brethren. This branch of godliness is usuall recompensed with temporal blessings. But nothing is so distressing to the contrite believer, as a fear or sense of the Divine displeasure, or of sin in his heart. Sin is the sickness of the soul; pardoning merc heals it, renewing grace heals it, and for this spiritual healing we should be more earnest than for bodily health.
Original Hebrew למנצח5329 מזמור4210 לדוד׃1732 אשׁרי835 משׂכיל7919 אל413 דל1800 ביום3117 רעה7451 ימלטהו4422 יהוה׃3068
