Psalms 112

1 Praise the Lord. Blessed is the one who has respect for the Lord. He finds great delight when he obeys God's commands.

2 His children will be powerful in the land. Because he is honest, his children will be blessed.

3 His family will have wealth and riches. He will always be blessed for doing what is right.

4 Even in the darkness light shines on honest people. It shines on those who are kind and tender and godly.

5 Good things will come to those who are willing to lend freely. Good things will come to those who are fair in everything they do.

6 They will always be secure. Those who do what is right will be remembered forever.

7 They aren't afraid when bad news comes. They stand firm because they trust in the Lord.

8 Their hearts are secure. They aren't afraid. In the end they will see their enemies destroyed.

9 They have spread their gifts around to poor people. Their good works continue forever. They will be powerful and honored.

10 Evil people will see it and be upset. They will grind their teeth and become weaker and weaker. What evil people long to do can't succeed.

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.

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.