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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 112:1-5

The psalmist begins with a call to us to praise God, but immediately applies himself to praise the people of God; for whatever glory is acknowledged to be on them it comes from God, and must return to him; as he is their praise, so they are his. We have reason 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, both which are owing entirely to the grace of God. Now here we have, I. A description of those who are here pronounced... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 112:5

A good man showeth favour, and lendeth ,.... Without usury, hoping for nothing again: he pities those that labour under difficulties, for want of a little money; and he generously lends it till they are able to pay him again; which oftentimes is of as much service as if it was given; see Psalm 37:21 . A good man is not only a man that has the good work of grace in him, and is ready to every good work; but one that is munificent, bountiful, and liberal; in which sense the word is used in ... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 112:5

Verse 5 5A good man This is the commonly received interpretation of the passage. I am disposed, however, to prefer another, That it shall be well with those who are gracious and communicative; because this is more in accordance with the purport of the prophet’s language. It is his intention to show how greatly the ungodly are deceived, when they aspire after happiness by nefarious and unlawful practices; seeing that the favor of God is the source and cause of all good things. Hence it becomes... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 112:1-10

The promise of piety. In Bacon's celebrated saying that "prosperity is the blessing of the Old Testament, but adversity of the New," there is a measure of truth; but it is far from covering all the ground. We may set against it the apostolic declaration that" godliness hath the promise of the life that now is." And though we may not press the sentences of this psalm to any nice exactitude, yet it is substantially as true of the good man, and as applicable to his life on earth now, as it... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 112:1-10

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 112:5

A good man showeth favor, and lendeth ; rather, well is it with the man that showeth, etc. The verse is exegetical of the latter clause of Psalms 112:4 , and shows how the righteous man's compassion works. It makes him "show favor," or "kindness," to men generally, and "lend" to those who are in necessity (comp. Psalms 37:26 ; and for the duty of lending to the needy, see Deuteronomy 15:8 , Deuteronomy 15:11 ). He will guide his affairs with discretion ; rather, perhaps, with... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 112:5

A good man showeth favor - He has the means to show favor to others, or to promote their welfare, and he is disposed to do this. It is the characteristic of a good man - of a heart that is truly pious - to do good to others; to promote their welfare here, and to assist them in their endeavor to secure happiness in the world to come.And lendeth - The original word here - לוה lâvâh - means to join oneself to anyone; to cleave to him; then, to form the union which is constituted between debtor... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 112:4-5

Psalms 112:4-5. Unto the upright there ariseth light in darkness Although he may be subject to many of the troubles and calamities of life, as others are, yet they will be far from making him unhappy, for God will give him all the needful support and comfort in the midst of them, sanctifying them to him, and causing them, in many ways, to work together for his good, and in due time will grant him a happy issue out of them; whereas the wicked sink under their burdens, and their present... read more

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