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
Surely he shall not be moved forever. God's blessing shall abide with him, and make his happiness sure and stable. (On stability as a necessary element in happiness, see Aristotle, 'Eth. Nic.,' 1. 10. § 7, 8.) The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance ; i . e . everlastingly remembered by God. read more
The Bible use of the word everlasting. This word is one which is used in common speech. Every one who speaks intensely is apt to speak extravagantly, and figures of speech are always capable of larger usage than the person who first employs them intended. Round the words eternal, for ever, and everlasting, Christian doctrines have gathered; the words have thus gained a precision of meaning; and it is difficult now to recover for them the simpler, colloquial meanings which belong to their... read more
He shall not be afraid of evil tidings . Confident in God's goodness to wards him, he will not anticipate misfortunes. They may come, as even the best man is not exempt from them; but he will not meet them half-way. His heart is fixed ; i . e . firmly established (see Psalms 112:8 )—settled on a sure basis— trusting in the Lord —the one basis that is solid and immovable. read more
Not afraid of evil tidings. I. MOST PEOPLE ARE . The postman's knock, much more a telegram, will often set their hearts palpitating. They realize how precarious is the tenure by which they hold their good things; they have many times had experience of the instability of that in which they have most trusted; and hence they are afraid, etc. II. BUT OF THE SERVANT OF GOD IT IS SAID , " HE SHALL NOT BE AFRAID OF EVIL TIDINGS ." 1. As a fact,... read more
Trust-triumph over fears. "He will not be afraid of any evil tidings; for his heart standeth fast, and believeth in the Lord." The good man of this psalm is evidently also a rich man, and a man in high position, who can exert a wide influence. Such men are more especially exposed to the influence of evil tidings. Illustrate by the case of Job, to whom the messengers of evil came one after another. Or give cases of merchants whose whole fortune is embarked in some ship, and who receive... read more
His heart is established . Almost a repetition of the phrase in Psalms 112:7 , "his heart is fixed"—seemingly, therefore, superfluous, but really emphasizing the point, which is of great moment (see the comment of Hengstenberg, and compare the "just man" of Horace, 'Od.,' 3.3, 2. 1-8). He shall not be afraid . "Perfect love casteth out fear" ( 1 John 4:18 ). He who feels himself always and altogether in the hands of a loving Father cannot be afraid of what is about to befall him. ... read more
Surely he shall not be moved for ever - Luther, “For he shall remain always.” He shall be fixed, stable, firm, prosperous. He shall not be driven from place to place. He shall have a permanent home. He shall have a steady reputation. He shall have a constant influence. He shall be a firm, establislied, prosperous man. Of course this is to be taken in the general, and should not be pressed to mean that it will be, in the most literal sense, and always, true, for a good man “may” be “unfortunate... read more
He shall not be afraid of evil tidings - Of bad news; of reverses and losses; of the destruction of his ship at sea, or his property by land; of disaster by flood, by famine, by war. His heart will so fully confide in God that he can commit all calmly into his hands. He will feel assured that all will be well; that nothing occurs but that which the wisest and the best Being in the universe sees it best should occur; and that in all which “does” take place he is able to sustain the sufferer.... 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