Psalms 112:1

PSALM 112

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SERVANT OF GOD

See introduction to the preceding chapter for discussion of this psalm as "a twin" of that one. The theme of Psalms 111 was "The Character of God," and the theme here is "The Characteristics of God's Servant." This is another of the Hallelujah Psalms. It is also an acrostic.

The theme of the psalm was stated by Leupold, "This psalm emphasizes the praise that God deserves because of what he does for those who truly fear him."[1]

Psalms 112:1-3

"Praise ye Jehovah.

Blessed is the man that feareth Jehovah,

That delighteth greatly in his commandments.

His seed shall be mighty upon the earth:

The generation of the upright shall be blessed.

Wealth and riches are in his house;

And his righteousness endureth forever."

"Praise ye Jehovah" (Psalms 112:1). This stands apart from the acrostic pattern, serving somewhat as a title for the psalm. These words translate the Hebrew text, which is "Hallelujah."

"Blessed is the man that feareth Jehovah, etc." (Psalms 112:1). This thought is repeated a hundred times in the Psalter, beginning with the very first verse in it.

"His seed shall be mighty upon earth, etc." (Psalms 112:2). The two clauses of this verse are parallel, both of them promising that success and prosperity shall come to the righteous man's posterity. Families that are reared in the knowledge and fear of God by their parents continue to exhibit the truth of what is written here. Jamieson noted that exceptions to this general rule may be cited, "But such exceptions occur only as they are seen by God to be inconsistent with those spiritual blessings which are better." [2]

"Wealth and riches are in his house, etc." (Psalms 112:3). It is surely true of any society where righteousness generally prevails that wealth tends to be accumulated in the hands of good men. "A land needs its mighty men, and is fortunate if they are of such stock as this and if wealth is in such hands."[3] It is always a disaster for any community where the wealth and power of the people are concentrated in the hands of evil men.