Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 2. The Lord will preserve him, and keep him alive ] It is worthy of remark, that benevolent persons, who consider the poor, and especially the sick poor; who search cellars, garrets, back lanes, and such abodes of misery, to find them out, (even in the places where contagion keeps its seat,) very seldom fall a prey to their own benevolence. The Lord, in an especial manner, keeps them alive, and preserves them; while many, who endeavour to keep far from the contagion, are assailed by it, and fall victims to it. God loves the merciful man.
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 יהוה3068 ישׁמרהו8104 ויחיהו2421 יאשׁר833 בארץ776 ואל408 תתנהו5414 בנפשׁ5315 איביו׃341
