Apocalypse Revealed #209
209. 'Wretched and poor.' This symbolically means that they have no truths or goods.
Wretched and poor people mean, in the spiritual sense of the Word, people who lack concepts of truth and good, for they are spiritually wretched and poor. They are also meant by the people in the following passages:
I am wretched and poor, O Lord; be mindful of me. (Psalms 40:18) [NCBSP: Psalms 40:17], cf. Psalms 70:5)
Incline Your ear, O Jehovah, and answer me, for I am wretched and poor. (Psalms 86:1)
The impious bare the sword and bend their bow, to cast down the wretched and poor... (Psalms 37:14)
(The impious man) persecuted the wretched and poor man, even to slay the downcast in heart. (Psalms 109:16)
(God) will judge the wretched of the people; He will save the children of the poor... He will deliver the poor man when he cries, and the wretched man... (Psalms 72:4, 12-13)
Jehovah... delivers the wretched man from one who is too strong for him, and the poor man... from those who plunder him. (Psalms 35:10)
(The impious man) devises wicked plans to destroy the wretched with lying words, even when the poor man speaks justly. (Isaiah 37:7)
The wretched shall have their joy in Jehovah, and the poor of mankind shall exult in the Holy One of Israel. (Isaiah 29:19)
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3)
See also elsewhere, as Isaiah 10:2; Jeremiah 22:16; Ezekiel 16:49; 18:12; 22:29; Amos 8:4; Psalms 9:18; 69:32-33; 74:21; 109:22; 140:12; Deuteronomy 15:11; 24:14; Luke 14:13, 21, 23.
The wretched and poor mean chiefly people who lack concepts of truth and goodness and yet desire them, since the rich mean people who possess concepts of truth and goodness (no. 206).
Psalms 86
1
Hear, Yahweh, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.
2
Preserve my soul, for I am godly. You, my God, save your servant who trusts in you.
3
Be merciful to me, Lord, for I call to you all day long.
4
Bring joy to the soul of your servant, for to you, Lord, do I lift up my soul.
5
For you, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive; abundant in loving kindness to all those who call on you.
6
Hear, Yahweh, my prayer. Listen to the voice of my petitions.
7
In the day of my trouble I will call on you, for you will answer me.
8
There is no one like you among the gods, Lord, nor any deeds like your deeds.
9
All nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord. They shall glorify your name.
10
For you are great, and do wondrous things. You are God alone.
11
Teach me your way, Yahweh. I will walk in your truth. Make my heart undivided to fear your name.
12
I will praise you, Lord my God, with my whole heart. I will glorify your name forevermore.
13
For your loving kindness is great toward me. You have delivered my soul from the lowest Sheol.
14
God, the proud have risen up against me. A company of violent men have sought after my soul, and they don't hold regard for you before them.
15
But you, Lord, are a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness and truth.
16
Turn to me, and have mercy on me! Give your strength to your servant. Save the son of your handmaid.
17
Show me a sign of your goodness, that those who hate me may see it, and be shamed, because you, Yahweh, have helped me, and comforted me. A Psalm by the sons of Korah; a Song.
