Title. and Subject. - There is no title to this Psalm, but it is evidently a companion to the hundred and eleventh, and, like it, it is an alphabetical Psalm. Even in the number of verses, and clauses of each verse, it coincides with its predecessor, as also in many of its words and phrases. The reader should carefully compare the two Psalms line by line. The subject of the poem before us is - the blessedness of the righteous man, and so it bears the same relation to the preceding which the moon does to the sun; for, while the first declares the glory of God, the second speaks of the reflection of the divine brightness in men born from above. God is here praised for the manifestation of his glory which is seen in his people, just as in the Preceding Psalm he was magnified for his own personal acts. The hundred and eleventh speaks of the great Father, and this describes his children renewed after his image. The Psalm cannot be viewed as the extolling of man, for it commences with "Praise ye the Lord;" and it is intended to give to God all the honour of his grace which is manifested in the sons of God.

Division. - The subject is staled in Psalm 112:1, and enlarged upon under several heads Psalm 112:2-9. The blessedness of the righteous is set forth by contrast with the late of the ungodly in Psalm 112:10.

Hints to Preachers

Psalm 112:1. - "Praise ye the Lord."

I. Who should be praised? Not man, self, wealth, etc., but God only.

II. Who should praise him? All men, but specially his people, the blessed ones described in this Psalm.

III. Why should they do it? For all the reasons mentioned in succeeding verses.

IV. How should they do it? Chiefly by leading such a life as is here described.

Psalm 112:1 (second clause). -

I. Fear of the Lord; what it is.

II. Its connection with the delight mentioned.

III. The qualities in the commandments which excite delight in godfearing minds.

Psalm 112:2. - The real might of the holy seed and their true blessedness.

Psalm 112:3. - The riches of a Christian: content, peace, security, power in prayer, promises, providence, yea, God himself.

Psalm 112:3. - The enduring character of true righteousness.

1. Based on eternal principles.

2. Growing out of an incorruptible seed.

3. Sustained by a faithful God.

4. United to the everliving Christ.

Psalm 112:3. - Connection of the two clauses - How to be wealthy and righteous. Note the following verses, and show how liberality is needful if rich men would be righteous men.

Psalm 112:4 (whole verse) -

I. The upright have their dark times.

II. They shall receive comfort.

III. Their own character will secure this.

Psalm 112:4 (first clause). -

I. The character of the righteous: "upright," "gracious," etc.

II. His privilege.

1. Light as well as darkness.

2. More light than darkness.

3. Light in darkness: inward light in the midst of surrounding darkness. Light seen above, when all is dark below. Even darkness itself becomes the harbinger of day. - G. R.

Psalm 112:4 (last clause). - A Trinity of excellencies found in true Christians, in Christ, and in God: their union forms a perfect character when they are well balanced. Show how they are exemplified in daily life.

Psalm 112:5. -

I. A good man is benevolent, but a benevolent man is not always good.

II. A good man is prudent, but a prudent man is not always a good man. There must first be goodness and then its fruits. "Make the tree good," etc. - G. R.

Psalm 112:5. - "Lending."

I. It is to be done.

II. It is to be done as a favour; borrowing is seeking alms.

III. It should be done very discreetly. Add to this a homily on borrowing and repaying.

Psalm 112:6. -

I. In this life the Christian is,

1Steadfast;

2Calm;

3.:Unconquerable: and

II. When this life is over his memory is,

1Beloved;

2Influential;

3Perpetual.

Psalm 112:6. -

I. The character of the righteous is eternal: "surely," etc.

II. His influence upon others is eternal: "shall be had," etc. - G. R.

Psalm 112:7. -

1. "He shall not be afraid," etc.: peaceful.

2. "His heart is fixed": restful.

3. "Trusting in the Lord": trustful; the cause of the former

Psalm 112:7. -

I. The waves: "evil tidings."

II. The steady ship: "he shall not be afraid."

III. The anchor: "his heart is fixed, trusting."

IV. The anchorage: "in the Lord."

Psalm 112:8. - Heart establishment, the confidence which flows from it, the sight which shall be seen by him who possesses it.

Psalm 112:8. -

I. The security of the righteous: "his heart is established."

II. His tranquillity: "he shall not be afraid;" and,

III. His expectancy: "until," etc. - G. R.

Psalm 112:9. - Benevolence: its exercise in almsgiving, its preserving influence upon character, and the honour which it wins.

Psalm 112:10. -

I. What the wicked must see, and its effect upon them.

II. What they shall never see (their desire), and the result of theft disappointment.

Explanatory Notes and Quaint Sayings

Whole Psalm

The hundred and eleventh and the hundred and twelfth Psalms, two very short poems, dating apparently from the latest age of inspired psalmody, present such features of resemblance as to leave no doubt that they came from the same pen. In structure they are identical; and this superficial resemblance is designed to call attention to something deeper and more important. The subject of the one is the exact counterpart of the subject of the other. The first celebrates the character and works of God; the second, the character and felicity of the godly man. - William Binnie.

Whole Psalm

Here are rehearsed the blessings which God is wont to bestow on the godly. And as in the previous Psalm the praises of God were directly celebrated, so in this Psalm they are indirectly declared by those gifts which are conspicuous in those who fear him. - Solomon Gesner.

Whole Psalm

This Psalm is a banquet of heavenly wisdom; and as Basil speaketh of another part of Scripture, likening it to an apothecary's shop; so may this book of Psalms fitly be compared; in which are so many sundry sorts of medicines, that every man tray have that which is convenient for his disease. - T. S., 1621.

Whole Psalm

The righteousness of the Mediator, I make no doubt, is celebrated in this Psalm; for surely that alone is worthy to be extolled in songs of praise: especially since we are taught by the Holy Ghost to say, "I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only." I conclude, therefore, that in this alphabetical Psalm, for such is its construction, Christ is "the Alpha and the Omega." - John Fry.

Psalm 112:1

This Psalm is a praising of God for blessing the believer, and the whole Psalm doth prove that the believer is blessed: which proposition is set down in Psalm 112:1, and confirmed with as many reasons as there are verses following. Whence learn,

1. Albeit, in singing of certain Psalms, or parts thereof, there be nothing directly spoken of the Lord, or to the Lord, yet he is praised when his truth is our song, or when his works and doctrine are our song; as here it is said, "Praise ye the Lord." and then in the following verses the blessedness of the believer taketh up all the Psalm.

2. It is the Lord's praise that his servants are the only blessed people in the world. "Praise ye the Lord." Why? because "Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord."

3. He is not the blessed man who is most observant to catch opportunities to have pleasure, profit, and worldly preferment, and careth not how he cometh by them: but he is the blessed man who is most observant of God's will, and careful to follow it. - David Dickson.

Psalm 112:1

"Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord." It is not said simply, Blessed is the man who fears: for there is a fear which of itself produces misery and wretchedness rather than happiness. It has to do, therefore, chiefly with what is feared. To fear when it is not becoming, and not to fear when fear is proper, these are not blessedness for a man, but misery and wretchedness. The prophet, therefore, says rightly, "Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord": and in Psalm 112:7-8 he says of this blessed one that he shall not be afraid of evil tidings. Therefore, he who fears God and, according to the exhortation of Christ, does not fear those who can kill the body, he truly may be numbered among the blessed. - Wolfgang Musculus.

Psalm 112:1

"Feareth the Lord." Filial fear is here intended. Whereby we are both restrained from evil, Proverbs 3:7; and incited unto well doing, Ecclesiastes 12:13; and whereof God alone is the author, Jeremiah 32:39, Jeremiah 32:40; A duty required of every one, Psalm 33:8; Early, 1 Kings 18:12; Only, Luke 12:5; Continually, Proverbs 23:17; With confidence, Psalm 115:11; With joyfulness, Psalm 119:74; With thankfulness, Revelation 19:5. - Thomas Wilson, in "A Complete Christian Dictionary," 1661.

Psalm 112:1

"That delighteth greatly in his commandments." The Hebrew word too, חפץ chaphets, is rather emphatical, which is, as it were, to take his pleasure, and I have rendered it to delight himself. For the prophet makes a distinction between a willing and prompt endeavour to keep the law, and that which consists in mere servile and constrained obedience. - John Calvin.

Psalm 112:1

"That delighteth greatly in his commandments" - defining what constitutes the true "fear of the Lord," which was termed "the beginning of wisdom," Psalm 111:10. He who hath this true "fear" delights (Psalm 111:2) not merely in the theory, but in the practice of all "the Lord's commandments." Such fear, so far from being a "hard" service, is the only "blessed" one (Jeremiah 32:39). Compare the Gospel commandments, 1 John 3:23, 1 John 3:24; 1 John 5:3. True obedience is not task-work, as forrealists regard religion, but a "delight" (Psalm 1:2). Worldly delights, which made piety irksome, are supplanted by the new-born delight in and taste for the will and ways of God (Psalm 19:7-10). - A. R. Fausset.

Psalm 112:1

"In his commandments." When we cheerfully practise all that the Lord requireth of us, love sweeteneth all things, and it becomes our meat and drink to do his will. The thing commanded is excellent, but it is sweeter because commanded by him - "his commandments." A man is never thoroughly converted till he delighteth in God and his service, and his heart is overpowered by the sweetness of divine love. A slavish kind of religiousness, when we had rather not do than do our work, is no fruit of grace, and cannot evidence a sincere love. - Thomas Manton.

Psalm 112:2

"His seed." If any one should desire to leave behind him a flourishing posterity, let him not think to accomplish it by accumulating heaps of gold and silver, and leaving them behind him; but by rightly recognising God and serving Him; and commending his children to the guardianship and protection of God. - Mollerus.

Psalm 112:2

"The generation of the upright" - the family; the children - "shall be blessed." Such promises are expected to be fulfilled in general; it is not required by any proper rules of interpreting language that this should be universally and always true. - Albert Barnes.

Psalm 112:2

"The generation of the upright shall be blessed." Albeit, few do believe it, yet is it true, that upright dealing hath better fruits than witty projecting and cunning catching. - David Dickson.

Psalm 112:2, Psalm 112:3

It is probable that Lot thought of enriching his family when he chose the fertile plains of wicked Sodom, yet the event was very different; but Abraham "feared the Lord, and delighted greatly in his commandments," and his descendants were "mighty upon earth." And thus it will generally be, in every age, with the posterity of those who imitate the father of the faithful; and their disinterested and liberal conduct shall prove, in the event, a far preferable inheritance laid up for their children, than gold and silver, houses and lands, would have been. - Thomas Scott.

Psalm 112:3

1 Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.

"Praise ye the Lord." This exhortation is never given too often; the Lord always deserves praise, we ought always to render it, we are frequently forgetful of it, and it is always well to be stirred up to it. The exhortation is addressed to all thoughtful persons who observe the way and manner of life of men that fear the Lord. If there be any virtue, if there be any praise, the Lord should have all the glory of it, for we are his workmanship. "Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord." According to Psalm 111:10, "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom"; this man, therefore, has begun to be wise, and wisdom has brought him present happiness, and secured him eternal felicity. Jehovah is so great that he is to be feared and had in reverence of all them that are round about him, and he is at the same time so infinitely good that the fear is sweetened into filial love, and becomes a delightful emotion, by no means engendering bondage. There is a slavish fear which is accursed; but that godly fear which leads to delight in the service of God is infinitely blessed. Jehovah is to be praised both for inspiring men with godly fear and for the blessedness which they enjoy in consequence thereof. We ought to bless God for blessing any man, and especially for setting the seal of his approbation upon the godly. His favour towards the God-fearing displays his character and encourages gracious feelings in others, therefore let him be praised. "That delighteth greatly in his commandments." The man not only studies the divine precepts and endeavours to observe them, but rejoices to do so: holiness is his happiness, devotion is his delight, truth is his treasure. He rejoices in the precepts of godliness, yea, and delights greatly in them. We have known hypocrites rejoice in the doctrines, but never in the commandments. Ungodly men may in some measure obey the commandments out of fear, but only a gracious man will observe them with delight. Cheerful obedience is the only acceptable obedience; he who obeys reluctantly is disobedient at heart, but he who takes pleasure in the command is truly loyal. If through divine grace we find ourselves described in these two sentences, let us give all the praise to God, for he hath wrought all our works in us, and the dispositions out of which they spring. Let self-righteous men praise themselves, but he who has been made righteous by grace renders all the praise to the Lord.

2 His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed

3 Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.

4 Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious and full of compassion, and righteous.

5 A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.

6 Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.

7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord.

8 His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.

9 He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.

Psalm 112:2

"His seed shall be mighty upon earth," that is to say, successive generations of God-fearing men shall be strong and influential in society, and in the latter days they shall have dominion. The true seed of the righteous are those who follow them in their virtues, even as believers are the seed of Abraham, because they imitate his faith; and these are the real heroes of their era, the truly great men among the sons of Adam; their lives are sublime, and their power upon their age is far greater than at first sight appears. If the promise must be regarded as alluding to natural seed, it must be understood as a general statement rather than a promise made to every individual, for the children of the godly are not all prosperous, nor all famous. Nevertheless, he who fears God, and leads a holy life, is, as a rule, doing the best he can for the future advancement of his house; no inheritance is equal to that of an unblemished name, no legacy can excel the benediction of a saint; and, taking matters for all in all, the children of the righteous man commence life with greater advantages than others, and are more likely to succeed in it, in the best and highest sense. "The generation of the upright shall be blessed." The race of sincere, devout, righteous men, is kept up from age to age, and ever abides under the blessing of God. The godly may be persecuted, but they shall not be forsaken; the curses of men cannot deprive them of the blessing of God, for the words of Balaam are true, "He hath blessed, and I cannot reverse it." Their children also are under the special care of heaven, and as a rule it shall be found that they inherit the divine blessing. Honesty and integrity are better corner-stones for an honourable house than mere cunning and avarice, or even talent and push. To fear God and to walk uprightly is a higher nobility than blood or birth can bestow.

Psalm 112:3

"Wealth and riches shall be in his house." Understood literally this is rather a promise of the old covenant than of the new, for many of the best of the people of God are very poor; yet it has been found true that uprightness is the road to success, and, all other things being equal, the honest man is the rising man. Many are kept poor through knavery and profligacy; but godliness hath the promise of the life that now is. If we understand the passage spiritually it is abundantly true. What wealth can equal that of the love of God? What riches can rival a contented heart? It matters nothing that the roof is thatched, and the floor is of cold stone: the heart which is cheered with the favour of heaven is "rich to all the intents of bliss." "And his righteousness endureth for ever." Often when gold comes in the gospel goes out; but it is not so with the blessed man. Prosperity does not destroy the holiness of his life, or the humility of his heart. His character stands the test of examination, overcomes the temptations of wealth, survives the assaults of slander, outlives the afflictions of time, and endures the trial of the last great day. The righteousness of a true saint endureth for ever, because it springs from the same root as the righteousness of God, and is, indeed, the reflection of it. So long as the Lord abideth righteous he will maintain by his grace the righteousness of his people. They shall hold on their way, and wax stronger and stronger. There is also another righteousness which belongs to the Lord's chosen, which is sure to endure for ever, namely, the imputed righteousness of the Lord Jesus, which is called "everlasting righteousness," belonging as it does to the Son of God himself, who is "the Lord our righteousness."

Psalm 112:4

"Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness." He does not lean to injustice in order to ease himself, but like a pillar stands erect, and he shall be found so standing when the ungodly, who are as a bowing wall and a tottering fence, shall lie in ruins. He will have his days of darkness, he may be sick and sorry, poor and pining, as well as others; his former riches may take to themselves wings and fly away, while even his righteousness may be cruelly suspected; thus the clouds may lower around him, but his gloom shall not last for ever, the Lord will bring him light in due season, for as surely as a good man's sun goes down it shall rise again. If the darkness be caused by depression of spirit, the Holy Ghost will comfort him; if by pecuniary loss or personal bereavement, the presence of Christ shall be his solace; and if by the cruelty and malignity of men, the sympathy of his Lord shall be his support. It is as ordinary for the righteous to be comforted as for the day to dawn. Wait for the light and it will surely come; for even if our heavenly Father should in our last hours put us to bed in the dark, we shall find it morning when we awake. "He is gracious, and lull of compassion, and righteous." This is spoken of God in Psalm 111:4, and now the same words are used of his servant: thus we are taught that when God makes a man upright, he makes him like himself. We are at best but humble copies of the great original; still we are copies, and because we are so we praise the Lord, who hath created us anew in Christ Jesus. The upright man is "gracious," that is, full of kindness to all around him; he is not sour and churlish, but he is courteous to friends, kind to the needy, forgiving to the erring, and earnest for the good of all. He is also "full of compassion"; that is to say, he tenderly feels for others, pities them, and as far as he can assists them in their time of trouble. He does not need to be driven to benevolence, he is brimful of humanity; it is his joy to sympathize with the sorrowing. He is also said to be "righteous": in all his transactions with his fellow men he obeys the dictates of right, and none can say that he goes beyond or defrauds his neighbour. His justice is, however, tempered with compassion, and seasoned with graciousness. Such men are to be found in our churches, and they are by no means so rare as the censorious imagine; but at the same time they are far scarcer than the breadth of profession might lead us to hope. Lord, make us all to possess these admirable qualities.

continued...

10 The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.

Psalm 112:10 sets forth very forcibly the contrast between the righteous and the ungodly, thus making the blessedness of the godly appear all the more remarkable. Usually we see Ebal and Gerizim, the blessing and the curse, set the one over against the other, to invest both with the greater solemnity. "The wicked shall see it, and be grieved." The ungodly shall first see the example of the saints to their own condemnation, and shall at last behold the happiness of the godly and to the increase of their eternal misery. The child of wrath shall be obliged to witness the blessedness of the righteous, though the sight shall make him gnaw his own heart. He shall fret and fume, lament and wax angry, but he shall not be able to prevent it, for God's blessing is sure and effectual. "He shall gnash with his teeth." Being very wrathful, and exceedingly envious, he would fain grind the righteous between his teeth; but as he cannot do that, he grinds his teeth against each other. "And melt away." The heat of his passion shall melt him like wax, and the sun of God's providence shah dissolve him like snow, and at the last the fire of divine vengeance shall consume him as the fat of rams. How horrible must that life be which like the snail melts as it proceeds, leaving a slimy trail behind. Those who are grieved at goodness deserve to be worn away by such an abominable sorrow. "The desire of the wicked shall perish." He shall not achieve his purpose, he shall die a disappointed man. By wickedness he hoped to accomplish his purpose-that very wickedness shall be his defeat. While the righteous shall endure for ever, and their memory shall be always green; the ungodly man and his name shall rot from off the face of the earth. He desired to be the founder of a family, and to be remembered as some great one: he shall pass away and his name shall die with him. How wide is the gulf which separates the righteous from the wicked, and how different are the portions which the Lord deals out to them. O for grace to be blessed of the Lord! This will make us praise him with our whole heart.