RR Psalm 41:1,2(1) – Part 1
Shalom,
Psalm 41:1 For the music director: a psalm of David. 2 Blessed is the one who considers the wretched—Adonai will deliver him in the evil day.
Let’s begin our series on Psalm 41. In verse 2, there are two Hebrew words that catch my attention. They are translated (and then transliterated) “wretched” (Dal) and “deliver” (Yimaltehu from Malat). Let’s study them one at a time, as we see what the Lord has for us here.
The Hebrew word “Dal” is first used in Exodus 23:3 On the other hand, nor should you takes sides with a poor man in his case. The connotation of the word “Dal” is to describe one who is hanging on by a thread. It is properly referring to someone who is dangling, and by implication, someone who is weak, lean, thin or frail. These are folks who don’t have much to give. When we give to one who cannot give back, we are inviting God to bless us.
That “blessing” is the blessing of “Ashre,” which is properly understood as gladness, happiness and joy. Who will say to the Lord, “Oh no, please don’t bless me with gladness?” In God’s kingdom, love reigns. In Satan’s kingdom, we are always trading something for something, and the only way to get ahead is if someone else is getting further behind.
Psalm 84:5(4) Blessed are they who dwell in Your House—they are ever praising You. Selah
Psalm 144:15 Happy are such a people! Blessed are the people whose God is Adonai!
The promise then goes beyond the blessing of gladness, to the blessing of deliverance. The Hebrew word is “Y’mal’te’hu” from “Malat.” It is a word that means to be “smooth,” or even “slippery,” and thereby “escape” or “deliverance.” The word is first used in Genesis 19:17 where it is used twice by the messengers of the Lord in admonishing Lot to flee or escape. Genesis 19:17 When they brought them outside, one said, “Flee for your life! Do not look behind you, and do not stop anywhere in the surrounding area! Escape to the hills, or else you’ll be swept away!”
The point is this… the Lord is promising gladness and deliverance to everyone who relates with wisdom to those among us who are just just hanging on in life. The simple lesson is that nobody ever got ahead by kicking someone who is feeble to the curb. Let’s take our final instruction for today from Isaiah.
Isaiah 35:3 Strengthen the limp hands, make firm the wobbly knees. 4 Say to those with anxious heart, “Be strong, have no fear!” Behold, your God! Vengeance is coming! God’s recompense—it is coming! Then He will save you.
Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Thu11-Dec-2025 21st of Kislev, 5786
Ge 39:1-61 Sa 21-22Ps 68Mk 14:43-72(1 Co 12)
Psalm 41:1 For the music director: a psalm of David. 2 Blessed is the one who considers the wretched—Adonai will deliver him in the evil day.
Let’s begin our series on Psalm 41. In verse 2, there are two Hebrew words that catch my attention. They are translated (and then transliterated) “wretched” (Dal) and “deliver” (Yimaltehu from Malat). Let’s study them one at a time, as we see what the Lord has for us here.
The Hebrew word “Dal” is first used in Exodus 23:3 On the other hand, nor should you takes sides with a poor man in his case. The connotation of the word “Dal” is to describe one who is hanging on by a thread. It is properly referring to someone who is dangling, and by implication, someone who is weak, lean, thin or frail. These are folks who don’t have much to give. When we give to one who cannot give back, we are inviting God to bless us.
That “blessing” is the blessing of “Ashre,” which is properly understood as gladness, happiness and joy. Who will say to the Lord, “Oh no, please don’t bless me with gladness?” In God’s kingdom, love reigns. In Satan’s kingdom, we are always trading something for something, and the only way to get ahead is if someone else is getting further behind.
Psalm 84:5(4) Blessed are they who dwell in Your House—they are ever praising You. Selah
Psalm 144:15 Happy are such a people! Blessed are the people whose God is Adonai!
The promise then goes beyond the blessing of gladness, to the blessing of deliverance. The Hebrew word is “Y’mal’te’hu” from “Malat.” It is a word that means to be “smooth,” or even “slippery,” and thereby “escape” or “deliverance.” The word is first used in Genesis 19:17 where it is used twice by the messengers of the Lord in admonishing Lot to flee or escape. Genesis 19:17 When they brought them outside, one said, “Flee for your life! Do not look behind you, and do not stop anywhere in the surrounding area! Escape to the hills, or else you’ll be swept away!”
The point is this… the Lord is promising gladness and deliverance to everyone who relates with wisdom to those among us who are just just hanging on in life. The simple lesson is that nobody ever got ahead by kicking someone who is feeble to the curb. Let’s take our final instruction for today from Isaiah.
Isaiah 35:3 Strengthen the limp hands, make firm the wobbly knees. 4 Say to those with anxious heart, “Be strong, have no fear!” Behold, your God! Vengeance is coming! God’s recompense—it is coming! Then He will save you.
Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Thu11-Dec-2025 21st of Kislev, 5786
Ge 39:1-61 Sa 21-22Ps 68Mk 14:43-72(1 Co 12)
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