The righteous considereth the cause of the poor
Not his poverty and distress, so as to relieve him, which yet he does, ( Psalms 41:1 ) ; nor the person of the poor in judgment, and which he ought not to do; for as he should not regard a rich man's person, and favour him, because he is rich; so neither a poor man, because he is poor, through an affectation of mercy, ( Leviticus 19:15 ) ; but the cause of the poor, and the justice of that, and do him justice, though a poor man. This is to be understood chiefly of a civil magistrate, a judge righteous; who will take notice of and regard a poor man's cause, and take a good deal of pains and care that he is not injured. Or, "knoweth the judgment of the poor" F13 he acquaints himself with his case, makes himself thoroughly master of it, searches out his cause as Job did, ( Proverbs 29:16 ) ; [but] the wicked regardeth not to know [it];
or, "does not understand knowledge" F14 of the poor man's cause and case; and there being no money to be had, he does not care to consider it, and look into it, and get knowledge of it, and do him justice; he will not take his cause in hand, or plead it.