Beatitudes, The. The name commonly given to the nine statements of blessing in the Sermon on the Mount, showing the character and the portion of those who enter into the kingdom. Matt. 5:1-11. This stands in remarkable contrast to the economy of the law, in which there is a list of curses as well as of blessings. When Israel entered the land the blessings, but also the curses, were duly read to the people. Joshua 8:33-35. Several of the Psalms contain beatitudes, and such are called Asherite Psalms, from the Hebrew word ashrey, 'happiness, blessing.'