Psalms · Chapter 112

Verse 1. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord] This seems to be the continuation of the preceding Psalm: there it was asserted that the beginning of wisdom was the fear of the Lord; and here the blessedness of the man who thus fears is stated.

That delighteth greatly] It is not enough to fear God, we must also love him: fear will deter us from evil; love will lead us to obedience. And the more a man fears and loves God, the more obedient will he be; till at last he will delight greatly in the commandments of his Maker.

Verse 1. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord — With the disposition of a dutiful child toward a kind and gracious father, not with that of a refractory slave toward a tyrannical and severe master, that reverences and fears to offend him. As the fear of God is man’s only wisdom, Psalm 111:10, so it is his only way to true happiness. That delighteth greatly in his commandments — Who makes it his chief care, business, and delight, to meditate on, understand, and obey God’s commandments. It is here intimated, that zeal and fervency in God’s service are essential to true piety.

Verse 1. Delighteth greatly. The Chaldaic, “Is expert in his commandments.”

1. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord—This is the theme of the psalm. On fearing “the Lord,” see on Psalm 111:10. Delighteth greatly—Is not only obedient in form, or from sense of duty, but from strong affection, supreme delight. Psalm 1:2. This pleasure in God’s commands is what prompts the truly pious soul to their study and observance. Psalm 111:2.

V. 2. Generation-The posterity.

Verse 2. His seed shall be mighty] זרעו zaro, his posterity. So the word should always be understood in this connection.

Verses 2, 3. His seed shall be mighty upon the earth — The divine blessing shall rest upon his posterity; and they shall fare the better, and be more powerful and prosperous, for the sincere piety and virtue of their godly progenitors. “Religion,” says Henry, “has been the raising of many a family, if not so as to advance it high, yet so as to found it firm. When good men themselves are happy in heaven, their seed, perhaps, are considerable on earth, and will themselves own it is by virtue of a blessing descending from their forefathers.” The generation of the upright shall be blessed — If they tread in the steps of their upright parents, and other pious ancestors, they shall be more blessed for their relation to them; for so is the covenant, I will be a God to thee, and to thy seed. They shall be blessed with outward prosperity as far as will be good for them, for, as Dr. Hammond observes, “as long as God hath the disposing of the good things of this world, it is unreasonable to imagine that any subtleties or projects of ours, which have impiety in them, and thereby forfeit all title to God’s benedictions, should be near so successful toward our present worldly interests, as a strict piety and constant adherence to the ways of God.” Wealth and riches shall be in his house — Possessed by him while he lives, and continued in his family after his death, if God sees this will be for his and their present and eternal good: for godliness hath the promise of the life that now is, as well as of that which is to come. “The true wealth, however, of Christians, is of another kind; their riches are such as neither moth can corrupt nor thief steal. Grace and glory are in the house of Christ, and everlasting righteousness is the portion of his children.”

2. His seed shall be mighty upon earth—A characteristic blessing of the covenant, (Genesis 13:15, 16; 15:18; 17:8,) and the characteristic passion of the Hebrew people. The Greek reading of the last clause of Numbers 23:10, is, “And let my seed be like his seed.” “Mighty,” in the text, is not to be taken in the sense of heroic, warlike, as often, but in the sense of powerful—having dominion, swaying the forces of society, and this is God’s purpose in regard to his true Church.

V. 3. Righteousness-The fruit or reward of his righteousness, which is God’s blessing upon his estate.

Verse 3. Wealth and riches shall be in his house] This is often the case: a godly man must save both time and money. Before he was converted he lost much time, and squandered his money. All this he now saves, and therefore wealth and riches must be in his house; and if he does not distribute to the necessities of the poor, they will continue to accumulate till they be his curse; or God will, by his providence, sweep them away. Both hqdx tsedakah and dikaiosunh are often used to signify, not only justice and righteousness, but also beneficence and almsgiving; and this is most probably the meaning here. See Psalm 112:9.

Verses 2, 3. His seed shall be mighty upon the earth — The divine blessing shall rest upon his posterity; and they shall fare the better, and be more powerful and prosperous, for the sincere piety and virtue of their godly progenitors. “Religion,” says Henry, “has been the raising of many a family, if not so as to advance it high, yet so as to found it firm. When good men themselves are happy in heaven, their seed, perhaps, are considerable on earth, and will themselves own it is by virtue of a blessing descending from their forefathers.” The generation of the upright shall be blessed — If they tread in the steps of their upright parents, and other pious ancestors, they shall be more blessed for their relation to them; for so is the covenant, I will be a God to thee, and to thy seed. They shall be blessed with outward prosperity as far as will be good for them, for, as Dr. Hammond observes, “as long as God hath the disposing of the good things of this world, it is unreasonable to imagine that any subtleties or projects of ours, which have impiety in them, and thereby forfeit all title to God’s benedictions, should be near so successful toward our present worldly interests, as a strict piety and constant adherence to the ways of God.” Wealth and riches shall be in his house — Possessed by him while he lives, and continued in his family after his death, if God sees this will be for his and their present and eternal good: for godliness hath the promise of the life that now is, as well as of that which is to come. “The true wealth, however, of Christians, is of another kind; their riches are such as neither moth can corrupt nor thief steal. Grace and glory are in the house of Christ, and everlasting righteousness is the portion of his children.”

3. His righteousness—This same is ascribed to Jehovah, Psalm 111:3. It is here reproduced in the holy man.

V. 4. Darkness-In the troubles and calamities of life. He-The upright man.

Verse 4. There ariseth light in the darkness] The upright are always happy; and when tribulations come, God lifts up the light of his countenance upon him, and causes all occurences to work together for his good.

He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.] He enjoys the favour of God; that grace makes him compassionate; and in the general tenor of his conduct he is righteous. From these principles he shows favour (Psalm 112:5) to him that needs it; that is, to the real poor he gives of his substance; and others he obliges by lending, they not being utterly in want, but standing in need only of a little present help. But he takes heed to whom he gives and to whom he lends; that in the first case his bounty may be well applied, and in the second he may not oblige the person who only seeks, under the notion of a loan, to appropriate the money borrowed. To prevent evils of this kind he acts prudently, and guides his affairs with discretion, Psalm 112:5.

Verses 4, 5. Unto the upright there ariseth light in darkness — Although he may be subject to many of the troubles and calamities of life, as others are, yet they will be far from making him unhappy, for God will give him all the needful support and comfort in the midst of them, sanctifying them to him, and causing them, in many ways, to work together for his good, and in due time will grant him a happy issue out of them; whereas the wicked sink under their burdens, and their present miseries usher in their eternal destruction. He is gracious, &c. — The good or upright man, of whom he speaks, both in the foregoing and following words: he exercises meekness, sweetness, and gentleness to those that provoke him; forgives offences, pities the instruments of his trouble, and shows mercy to persons in want and misery; while he acts justly and righteously toward all, and will not be prevailed upon, by any temptation, to do any thing dishonest, cruel, or unkind. A good man showeth favour, and lendeth — Gives freely to some, and kindly lends to others, as need, and the difference of men’s conditions, may require. He will guide his affairs — Will maintain and manage his property, or domestic affairs, with discretion — Hebrew, with judgment, so as it is meet and fit, and God requires that they should be managed; not getting his estate unjustly, nor casting it away prodigally, nor withholding it uncharitably from such as need it.

4. Light in the darkness—A figurative expression for health, and happiness in adversity. See verse 7, and compare Isaiah 60:2; Psalm 97:11; Romans 8:28. Gracious, and full of compassion—The terms are reproduced from verse 4 of the previous psalm, where they apply to God. Thus godliness is the reflected image of God. In the Hebrew of Exodus 34:6, exactly the same words are rendered “gracious and merciful,” where they are descriptive of the character of God. Compassion to the poor and needy, the sinful and unworthy, prompting to a charitable service and distribution of benefits, is honourable to God and his religion. James 1:27. The idea is more fully brought out in the first line of the next verse.

V. 5. Lendeth-Gives freely to some, and lends to others according to the variety of their conditions. Affairs-His domestick affairs. Discretion-Not getting his estate unjustly, nor casting it away prodigally, nor yet withholding it from such as need it.

Verses 4, 5. Unto the upright there ariseth light in darkness — Although he may be subject to many of the troubles and calamities of life, as others are, yet they will be far from making him unhappy, for God will give him all the needful support and comfort in the midst of them, sanctifying them to him, and causing them, in many ways, to work together for his good, and in due time will grant him a happy issue out of them; whereas the wicked sink under their burdens, and their present miseries usher in their eternal destruction. He is gracious, &c. — The good or upright man, of whom he speaks, both in the foregoing and following words: he exercises meekness, sweetness, and gentleness to those that provoke him; forgives offences, pities the instruments of his trouble, and shows mercy to persons in want and misery; while he acts justly and righteously toward all, and will not be prevailed upon, by any temptation, to do any thing dishonest, cruel, or unkind. A good man showeth favour, and lendeth — Gives freely to some, and kindly lends to others, as need, and the difference of men’s conditions, may require. He will guide his affairs — Will maintain and manage his property, or domestic affairs, with discretion — Hebrew, with judgment, so as it is meet and fit, and God requires that they should be managed; not getting his estate unjustly, nor casting it away prodigally, nor withholding it uncharitably from such as need it.

5. He will guide his affairs with discretion—He will sustain his matters in judgment. The word “discretion,” here, is commonly taken for judgment, in the judicial sense, and seems to denote that the plans and purposes of the good man, if called up for legal investigation, shall be sustained. They not only pass the ordeal of public opinion but of legal scrutiny. Hence neither law nor moral sentiment shall overthrow them. The thought is continued in the first line of the next verse. See on Proverbs 10:9; Daniel 6:4, 5.

V. 6. Moved-Though he may for a season be afflicted, yet he shall not be eternally destroyed.

Verses 6-8. He shall not be moved for ever — Though he may, for a season, be afflicted, yet he shall not be utterly and eternally destroyed, as wicked men shall be. The righteous — Hebrew, qydx, the righteous man; shall be in everlasting remembrance — Though, while he lives, he may be exposed to the censures, slanders, and contradictions of sinners; yet, after his death, his memory shall be precious and honourable, both with God and men, his very enemies not excepted. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings — At the report of approaching calamities and the judgments of God, at which the wicked are so dismayed and affrighted. His heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord — Casting all his care upon God, and securely relying upon his providence and promise. His heart is established, &c. — This confidence is the prop and support of his soul; until he see his desire, &c. — Till he look upon his oppressors, as Dr. Hammond renders it: that is, till he see them all subdued, and made his footstool: till he come to heaven, where he shall see Satan and all his spiritual enemies put under his feet, as Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the sea-shore. It will complete the satisfaction and comfort of the saints, when they shall look back upon their conflicts, pressures, and troubles, and be able to say, with St. Paul, when he had recounted the persecutions he had endured, Out of them all the Lord hath delivered me.

6. He shall not be moved—His conduct being just and true, his works are wrought in God, and cannot be overthrown. Psalm 90:17. Everlasting remembrance—See Proverbs 10:7. µlw[, (hholam,) “everlasting,” here and in the previous hemistich, must be taken in its sense of unlimited duration, the nature of the subject requiring it; while to “remembrance” must be attached the implied or adsignification of blessedness as the object or design, according to the idiomatic use of the word.

V. 7. Evil tidings-At the report of approaching calamities.

Verse 7. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings] He knows that God governs the world, therefore he fears not for futurity. And as to the calumnies of men, he fears them not, because his heart is fixed-determined to walk in the path of duty, whatever persecutions he may suffer, for he trusts in the Lord.

Verses 6-8. He shall not be moved for ever — Though he may, for a season, be afflicted, yet he shall not be utterly and eternally destroyed, as wicked men shall be. The righteous — Hebrew, qydx, the righteous man; shall be in everlasting remembrance — Though, while he lives, he may be exposed to the censures, slanders, and contradictions of sinners; yet, after his death, his memory shall be precious and honourable, both with God and men, his very enemies not excepted. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings — At the report of approaching calamities and the judgments of God, at which the wicked are so dismayed and affrighted. His heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord — Casting all his care upon God, and securely relying upon his providence and promise. His heart is established, &c. — This confidence is the prop and support of his soul; until he see his desire, &c. — Till he look upon his oppressors, as Dr. Hammond renders it: that is, till he see them all subdued, and made his footstool: till he come to heaven, where he shall see Satan and all his spiritual enemies put under his feet, as Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the sea-shore. It will complete the satisfaction and comfort of the saints, when they shall look back upon their conflicts, pressures, and troubles, and be able to say, with St. Paul, when he had recounted the persecutions he had endured, Out of them all the Lord hath delivered me.

7. Evil tidings—Scandalous or hurtful reports, or rumours of public alarm, (on which see Jeremiah 51:46; Ezekiel 7:26,) from which even a righteous man cannot always be exempt in such a world as this. But he is not afraid, because his acts and plans are founded in justice, truth, and prudence. “The epithets ‘established,’ ‘trusting,’ ‘upheld,’ are all strikingly descriptive of the true attitude of faith, as that which leans upon, and is supported by, God.”—Perowne. See Isaiah 26:3.

Verse 8. His heart is established] wbl Ëwms samuch libbo, “his heart is propped up;” he is buttressed up by the strength of his Maker.

Verses 6-8. He shall not be moved for ever — Though he may, for a season, be afflicted, yet he shall not be utterly and eternally destroyed, as wicked men shall be. The righteous — Hebrew, qydx, the righteous man; shall be in everlasting remembrance — Though, while he lives, he may be exposed to the censures, slanders, and contradictions of sinners; yet, after his death, his memory shall be precious and honourable, both with God and men, his very enemies not excepted. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings — At the report of approaching calamities and the judgments of God, at which the wicked are so dismayed and affrighted. His heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord — Casting all his care upon God, and securely relying upon his providence and promise. His heart is established, &c. — This confidence is the prop and support of his soul; until he see his desire, &c. — Till he look upon his oppressors, as Dr. Hammond renders it: that is, till he see them all subdued, and made his footstool: till he come to heaven, where he shall see Satan and all his spiritual enemies put under his feet, as Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the sea-shore. It will complete the satisfaction and comfort of the saints, when they shall look back upon their conflicts, pressures, and troubles, and be able to say, with St. Paul, when he had recounted the persecutions he had endured, Out of them all the Lord hath delivered me.

Ver. 8. See his desire upon his enemies. The Chaldaic, “Till he see redemption or deliverance from his enemies.” Expressions of like import may be found in Psalm 118:7.

8. His enemies—His persecutors.

V. 9. Dispersed-His goods, freely and liberally. Righteousness-His liberality, or the reward of it. Ever-What he gives is not lost, but indeed is the only part of his estate, which will abide with him to all eternity.

Verse 9. He hath dispersed] He has scattered abroad his munificence; he has given particularly to the poor; his righteousness—his almsgiving, his charity, remaineth for ever. See on Psalm 112:3. His horn] His power and authority shall be exalted with honour. He shall rise to influence only through his own worth, and not by extortion or flattery.

Verse 9. He hath dispersed — His goods, freely and liberally. He hath given to the poor — To such as he knew to be really in want, and especially to the poor members of Christ. His righteousness — His liberality, or the reward of it; endureth for ever — That is, either, 1st, His charity is not a transient or occasional act; it is his constant course, of which he is not weary, but perseveres in it to the end of his life. Or, 2d, What he gives is not lost, as covetous or ungodly men judge of what is given to the poor, but, indeed, is the only part of his estate which will abide with him unto all eternity. His horn shall be exalted, &c. — Though he may now be reproached by the wicked, yet his innocence shall be cleared, and his name and honour gloriously exalted, especially when Jesus shall say to him and others of his saints, at the great day, I was hungry, and ye gave me meat, &c. “Then, when the thrones of the mighty shall be cast down. and the sceptres of tyrants broken in pieces, shall he lift up his head and be exalted, to partake of the glory of his Redeemer, the author of his faith, and the pattern of his charity, who gave himself for us, and is now seated at the right hand of the majesty in the heavens.” — Horne.

Ver. 9. His righteousness endureth for ever, as in ver. 3. His alms, and a multitude of good offices, the fruits of the divine righteousness actuating his breast: yea, the righteousness of God shall exalt his horn with honour. Job 15:15.

9. He hath dispersed—This scattering (see Proverbs 11:24) is explained by his “giving to the poor,” by all deeds of kindness and good will. See on verses 4, 5. For ever—See Psalm 111:9, where the same is ascribed to God’s faithfulness.

V. 10. The desire-Either of the misery of good men; or of his own constant prosperity.

Verse 10. The wicked shall see it] [vr rasha, the wicked one. Some think Satan is meant. It is distinguished from רשעים reshaim, wicked men, in the conclusion of the verse.

Shall gnash with his teeth] Through spite and ill will. And melt away] Through envy and hopeless expectation of similar good; for his desire in reference to himself, and in reference to him who is the object of his envy, shall perish-shall come to nothing.

Verse 10. The wicked shall be grieved — At the felicity of the righteous, partly from envy at the happiness of others, and partly from their peculiar hatred of godly men. It will vex them to see the innocence of such cleared, and their low state regarded; to behold those, whom they hated and despised, and whose ruin they sought and hoped to witness, now made the favourites of heaven, and advanced to have dominion over them. This will make them gnash with their teeth, and melt away — “The sight of Christ in glory with his saints,” says Dr. Horne, “will, in an inexpressible manner, torment the crucifiers of the one, and the persecutors of the others; as it will show them the hopes and wishes of their adversaries all granted to the full, and all their own desires and designs for ever at an end; it will excite an envy which must prey upon itself, produce a grief which can admit of no comfort, give birth to a worm which can never die, and blow up those fires which nothing can quench.

10. The spirit of the world toward Christ and his Church is well set forth in this verse. Grieved—Properly, enraged. Gnash with his teeth— Expressive of a transport of impotent rage. See Psalm 35:16; 37:12; Acts 7:54. Melt away—Their combinations dissolve, their adherents lessen, and their hearts grow faint and feeble, as they behold the futility of all their schemes, and remember that God and public sentiment are against them. Psalm 68:2. The desire of the wicked shall perish—In Hebrew psychology this simply means the desire shall not be gratified. While the desire or passion itself remains—namely, the envy, jealousy, hatred, rage, toward God and his holy people—the gratification is precluded. As the thirsty man, when water is taken away, becomes a prey to his appetite, so these perish in the defeat and disappointment of their malice, which now returns upon the soul and becomes a fire that is unquenchable. See Proverbs 10:28; 11:7.