Psalms 112

1 ^[a]Praise the LORD.^[b] Blessed are those who fear the LORD, who find great delight in his commands.

2 Their children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.

3 Wealth and riches are in their houses, and their righteousness endures forever.

4 Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.

5 Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice.

6 Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever.

7 They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD.

8 Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.

9 They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor, their righteousness endures forever; their horn^[c] will be lifted high in honor.

10 The wicked will see and be vexed, they will gnash their teeth and waste away; the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.

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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.

Taken from Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Concise)

Cross References 23

1. Psalms 33:2; Psalms 103:1; Psalms 150:1
2. Psalms 1:1-2
3. S Job 1:8; Psalms 103:11; Psalms 115:13; Psalms 128:1
4. S Psalms 1:2; Psalms 119:14,16,47,92
5. Psalms 25:13; Psalms 37:26; Psalms 128:2-4
6. S Deuteronomy 8:18
7. S Psalms 37:6; S Psalms 111:3
8. S Psalms 18:28; Job 11:17
9. Psalms 5:12; Psalms 97:11
10. S Psalms 37:21,26; Luke 6:35
11. S Psalms 15:5; S Psalms 55:22
12. Proverbs 10:7; Ecclesiastes 2:16
13. Psalms 57:7; Psalms 108:1; Proverbs 1:33
14. S Psalms 28:7; Psalms 56:3-4; S Isaiah 12:2
15. Psalms 3:6; Psalms 27:1; Psalms 56:11; Proverbs 1:33; Isaiah 12:2
16. S Psalms 54:7; Psalms 59:10
17. Luke 19:8; Acts 9:36; 2 Corinthians 9:9*
18. S Psalms 111:3
19. S Psalms 75:10
20. Psalms 86:17
21. S Psalms 37:12; S Matthew 8:12
22. S Psalms 34:21; Psalms 58:7-8
23. S Job 8:13; Proverbs 11:7

Footnotes 3

[a]. This psalm is an acrostic poem, the lines of which begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
[b]. Hebrew "Hallelu Yah"
[c]. "Horn" here symbolizes dignity.

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.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible