The blessedness of the eminently good. "That delighteth greatly in his commandments." I. HIS CHILDREN SHALL BE BLESSED . ( Psalms 112:2 .) "Mighty" in a warlike sense here. II. SHALL PROSPER IN OUTWARD CIRCUMSTANCES . ( Psalms 112:3 .) "Godliness is profit able unto all things," etc. III. SHALL ENJOY THE LIGHT OF GOD 'S PRESENCE , AND OF Ills OWN COMPASSIONATE DEEDS IN TIMES OF ADVERSITY . ( Psalms 112:4 , Psalms 112:5 ... read more
His seed shall be mighty upon earth . The phrase used of Nimrod in Genesis 10:8 , but not necessarily to be taken in exactly the same sense; rather as gibor hail in Ruth 2:1 and 1 Samuel 9:1 , "wealthy, prosperous." The generation of the upright shall be blessed ; i . e . shall receive blessing from the Most High, and shall therefore prosper. To be blessed in one's seed was, under the old covenant, the highest of blessings. read more
Goodness relocated in new generations. It has been very suggestively said "that God is, from the first, looking for a godly seed; or, what is nowise different, inserting such laws of population that piety itself shall finally over-populate the world. There are two principal modes by which the kingdom of God among men may be, and is to be, extended. One is by the process of conversion, and the other by that of family propagation; one by gaining over to the side of faith and piety, the other... read more
Praise ye the Lord - Margin, as in Hebrew, “Hallelujah.” See the notes at Psalms 106:1.Blessed is the man - Hebrew, “The blessings of the man.” See the notes at Psalms 1:1. That is, Blessed, or happy, is such a one.That feareth the Lord - In Psalms 111:10, the psalmist had referred to “the fear of the Lord” as “the beginning of wisdom,” and had “alluded” to the success, prosperity, or happiness which attends the fear of the Lord, or true religion. This psalm is designed more fully “to... read more
His seed shall be mighty upon earth - His children; his posterity. That is, they shall be prospered; honored; distinguished among people: distinguished for their virtues, for their influence, for their success in life. This refers to what was regarded among the Hebrews as an object of great desire, and is in accordance with the promises everywhere found in their Scriptures. See Psalms 25:13, note; Psalms 37:25-26, notes. Compare Genesis 12:2; Genesis 17:6; Exodus 20:6. It is in accordance,... read more
Psalms 112:1. 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, Psalms 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... read more
Psalms 112:2-3. 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... read more
Psalms 111-112 God and his godly peopleEqual in length and similar in form, these two psalms can be read as a pair. Both are acrostics (see note preceding Psalms 9:0). The former considers the greatness of God, the latter the character of his godly people.God’s wonderful works, both in creation and in history, are a cause for praise by all his worshipping people (111:1-3). In his sovereign power he took the agriculturally productive land of Canaan from its heathen inhabitants and gave it to the... read more
The second of three Hallelujah Psalms, and of the pair (111, 112). See note above. Also an Acrostic Psalm. See App-63 . THE LORD. Hebrew Jah. App-4 . Blessed = Happy. See App-63 . man. Hebrew. 'Ish . App-14 . the LORD. Hebrew eth Jehovah: i.e. Jehovah Himself. App-4 . read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 112:1-10
The blessed life. This psalm, like the previous one, begins with "Hallelujah," and is also an alphabetical psalm. That one gave glad thanks because of what the Lord God himself, in his ways and works, was declared to be. Now this one gives like thanks for what, by the grace of God, his servant is enabled to become. "The one sets forth God, his work and his attributes; the other tells us what are the work and character of those who fear God." So that the same affirmations are made both of... read more