Psalms 112

The Traits of the Righteous

1 Hallelujah!^[a] Happy is the man who fears the Lord, taking great delight in His commandments.

2 His descendants will be powerful in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.

3 Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.

4 Light shines in the darkness for the upright. He is gracious, compassionate, and righteous.

5 Good will come to a man who lends generously and conducts his business fairly.

6 He will never be shaken. The righteous will be remembered forever.

7 He will not fear bad news; his heart is confident, trusting in the Lord.

8 His heart is assured; he will not fear. In the end he will look in triumph on his foes.

9 He distributes freely to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.^[b] His horn will be exalted in honor.

10 The wicked man will see [it] and be angry; he will gnash his teeth in despair. The desire of the wicked will come to nothing.

Psalms 112 Commentary

Chapter 112

The blessedness of the righteous.

- We have to praise the Lord that there are a people in the world, who fear him and serve him, and that they are a happy people; which is owing entirely to his grace. Their fear is not that which love casts out, but that which love brings in. It follows and flows from love. It is a fear to offend. This is both fear and trust. The heart touched by the Spirit of God, as the needle touched with the loadstone, turns direct and speedily to God, yet still with trembling, being filled with this holy fear. Blessings are laid up for the faithful and their children's children; and true riches are bestowed on them, with as much of this world's possessions as is profitable for them. In the darkest hours of affliction and trial, the light of hope and peace will spring up within them, and seasonable relief shall turn mourning into joy. From their Lord's example they learn to be kind and full of compassion, as well as just in all their dealings; they use discretion, that they may be liberal in that manner which appears most likely to do good. Envy and slander may for a time hide their true characters here, but they shall be had in everlasting remembrance. They need not fear evil tidings. A good man shall have a settled spirit. And it is the endeavour of true believers to keep their minds stayed upon God, and so to keep them calm and undisturbed; and God has promised them both cause to do so, and grace to do so. Trusting in the Lord is the best and surest way of establishing the heart. The heart of man cannot fix any where with satisfaction, but in the truth of God, and there it finds firm footing. And those whose hearts are established by faith, will patiently wait till they gain their point. Compare all this with the vexation of sinners. The happiness of the saints is the envy of the wicked. The desire of the wicked shall perish; their desire was wholly to the world and the flesh, therefore when these perish, their joy is gone. But the blessings of the gospel are spiritual and eternal, and are conferred upon the members of the Christian church, through Christ their Head, who is the Pattern of all righteousness, and the Giver of all grace.

Footnotes

• [a]. The lines of this poem form an acrostic.
• [b]. 2 Co 9:9

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 112

This psalm, also, very probably, was written by David, and is composed as the former, in an alphabetical order. The inscription of it in the Syriac version is,

``When David in it commanded Solomon his son, saying, Keep the commandments of, the Lord, and worship him: likewise the calling of the Gentiles and the righteousness of Christ.''

The subject matter of the psalm are the character, conduct, usefulness, and happiness of a good man.