Psalm 41

“Blessed is the one who considers the poor! In the day of trouble the Lord delivers him.” (Psalm 41:1)

The literary type of Psalm 41 has been the topic of much discussion, since the poem does not seem to fall easily into any single type. Perhaps Kraus’s “prayer song of the sick”1 is appropriate for this psalm, although we might simply designate it as an individual lament. The psalm, in fact, begins with a benediction on those who “have regard for” the sick (see the comments on 41:1). Craigie identifies the setting of the psalm as the sanctuary where the suppliant prays for healing. While this may be true, in order to arrive at that conclusion, certain parts of the liturgy are assumed.2 Yet it does make sense that such a momentous event would be celebrated publicly in some way. This psalm concludes Book 1 (Pss. 1–41), employing the same term of blessing (’ashre) that began Book 1 (Ps. 1:1).

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