Poor in spirit: Oh wretched man that I am

What does it mean to be wretched?

Poor in spirit

Spiritual poverty or bankruptcy

Matthew 5:3 ESV
[3]  “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

https://bible.com/bible/59/mat.5.3.ESV

What does it mean to be “poor in spirit”?

Wretched, miserable, very unfortunate in condition or circumstances; miserable; pitiable.

Synonyms: unhappy, forlorn, woebegone, woeful, distressed, dejected.

characterized by or attended with misery and sorrow. despicable, contemptible, or mean.

In the Bible, “wretchedness” (often translated from the Greek word “talaiporos”) signifies a state of profound misery, distress, and spiritual poverty. It describes a deep-seated unhappiness stemming from a recognition of one’s own sinfulness and the inability to overcome it through personal effort. This concept is closely linked to the human condition apart from God’s grace and highlights the need for redemption and deliverance.
Key aspects of wretchedness in the Bible:
Spiritual Poverty:
Wretchedness is not merely emotional sadness, but a deep-seated spiritual condition where one recognizes their moral and spiritual brokenness.
Struggle with Sin:
It often refers to the internal struggle against sin, particularly when one desires to do good but finds themselves unable to consistently live up to God’s standards.
Need for

Deliverance:
The concept of wretchedness emphasizes the desperate need for salvation and redemption, highlighting that true fulfillment and freedom from sin can only be found in God’s grace and through Jesus Christ.

In Psalm 40, David describes the wretched man that he sees within himself, along with salvation and deliverance from God, the one and only source of everlasting life and peace.

Sin robs us of so much life and vitality.

Out of the horrible pit and miry clay; mud and muck of sin, the place where our sinfulness brings us to; morally and spiritually bankrupt; poor in spirit, spiritual poverty, rock bottom.

The same condition Paul saw himself in, while sitting in a Roman jail cell, writing to the church at Rome, and in Romans chapter 7, Paul’s discourse on the state of mankind without the grace and mercy of God. Paul comes to the honest truth about himself before God, when he declares himself a wretched man in total need of redemption and salvation in Christ alone (Romans chapter 7).

Poor in spirit; spiritual poverty, leads to “repent and believe in the Good News.”

When I’ve reached the end of myself, and I’m out of answers, my back is against the wall, so to speak;

like the Israelites in the wilderness, coming to the Red Sea, being hotly pursued by the enemy, and seeing no way to escape. They turn to God, through Moses, who delivers them. God parts the Red Sea and they cross over on dry land.

In the midst of our wretchedness and spiritual poverty, God makes a way.

Poor in spirit means just that; nowhere to go but up! Up from the miry clay and the mud and muck of sin.

Like the prodigal son, wallowing in the mud with pigs. Where shall I go from here? Repentance. Return to my Father and plead for forgiveness, for His mercy and grace.

Psalms 40:1-17 NKJV
[1] I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry. [2] He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps. [3] He has put a new song in my mouth— Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the Lord. [4] Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust, And does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. [5] Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works Which You have done; And Your thoughts toward us Cannot be recounted to You in order; If I would declare and speak of them, They are more than can be numbered. [6] Sacrifice and offering You did not desire; My ears You have opened. Burnt offering and sin offering You did not require. [7] Then I said, “Behold, I come; In the scroll of the book it is written of me. [8] I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is within my heart.” [9] I have proclaimed the good news of righteousness In the great assembly; Indeed, I do not restrain my lips, O Lord, You Yourself know. [10] I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth From the great assembly. [11] Do not withhold Your tender mercies from me, O Lord; Let Your lovingkindness and Your truth continually preserve me. [12] For innumerable evils have surrounded me; My iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to look up; They are more than the hairs of my head; Therefore my heart fails me. [13] Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me; O Lord, make haste to help me! [14] Let them be ashamed and brought to mutual confusion Who seek to destroy my life; Let them be driven backward and brought to dishonor Who wish me evil. [15] Let them be confounded because of their shame, Who say to me, “Aha, aha!” [16] Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; Let such as love Your salvation say continually, “The Lord be magnified!” [17] But I am poor and needy; Yet the Lord thinks upon me. You are my help and my deliverer; Do not delay, O my God.

https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.40.1-17.NKJV