What the Psalms Say about Helping the Poor and the Oppressed

Here are just a few verses:

Psalm 9:18

For the needy will not always be forgotten,
Nor the hope of the afflicted perish forever.

Psalm 10:17-18

O Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble;
You will strengthen their heart, You will incline Your ear
To vindicate the orphan and the oppressed,
So that man who is of the earth will no longer cause terror.

Psalm 41:1-2

How blessed is he who considers the helpless;
The Lord will deliver him in a day of trouble.
The Lord will protect him and keep him alive,
And he shall be called blessed upon the earth;
And do not give him over to the desire of his enemies.

Psalm 72:1-4

Give the king Your judgments, O God,
And Your righteousness to the king’s son.
May he judge Your people with righteousness
And Your afflicted with justice.
Let the mountains bring peace to the people,
And the hills, in righteousness.
May he vindicate the afflicted of the people,
Save the children of the needy
And crush the oppressor.

Psalm 113:7-8

He raises the poor from the dust
And lifts the needy from the ash heap,
To make them sit with princes,
With the princes of His people.

Psalm 146:5,7,9

How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
Whose hope is in the Lord his God,

Who executes justice for the oppressed;
Who gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets the prisoners free.

The Lord protects the strangers;
He supports the fatherless and the widow,
But He thwarts the way of the wicked.

The LORD has a heart for those who need help. Shouldn’t we?

Related Links:

• James 1: Grace, Truth, Action
• Proverbs and Poverty and Justice
• I Am Suffering from a Depraved Indifference
• Living the Gospel Requires More Than Good Intentions and Random Acts of Kindness
• Crazy Love: Your Best Life
• Jeremiah’s Choice
  
• Just a Vapor

**image courtesy of winjohn via sxc.hu