Psa 112:2 | KingComments | STEP | Psalm 112 forms a unity with Psalm 111. We see this in the structure and length of both psalms. They are identical in structure, both are an ‘acrostic’, a special stylistic form in poetry. In this, the first word of each verse, part of a part or group of verses begins with the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet. In Psalm 111, the LORD is praised in His works and wonders. Psalm 112 describes the features of those who fear the LORD and their blessings. These features are those of the remnant, formed in the school of God, through which they now show the features of Christ. The life of Jacob is an illustration of this. Psalm 111 is about God – compare the first tablet of stone; Psalm 112 is about man – compare the second tablet of stone. Like the previous psalm, this psalm begins with the exclamation “praise the LORD”, or “hallelujah”, which is at the same time a call ( ). The last verse of the previous psalm states that “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” ( ). This psalm follows on from that and continues with it, for here the psalmist begins by pronouncing “blessed” on “the man who fears the LORD”. This is another indication that the two psalms belong together (see Introduction to this psalm). The Man Who fears the LORD is true of the Lord Jesus in an absolute sense, but it also applies to all who possess His features and live by them. Psalm 1 also begins with “blessed is the man”, a description that is perfectly answered by Christ. Here in Psalm 112 we find the remnant adorned with the features of Christ. It is with them as with Rebecca who is adorned with the jewels of Isaac. This applies to us to the degree that Christ is taking shape in us. Next, the psalmist speaks of what characterizes that man who fears the LORD. His fear of the LORD is evident in the “great delight” he finds “in His commandments”. Fear is not anxiety, but awe. Connected to this fear is delight, even great delight, which makes it clear that there is no anxiety in this fear. It is impossible to say that someone fears the LORD when His commandments mean nothing to him. Here these commandments are those of the law. The Old Testament believer who lives in a living relationship with God loves to read in God’s law, because there the will of God is written, in it he gets to know God better. The joy in God’s commandments consists not only in studying, but also in living by them. We, New Testament believers, are not under law, but under grace. If we understand somewhat what grace is, our desire to know God’s will for our lives will be great. The expression of that desire is not to try to keep the law, but that we are willing to be led by the Spirit of God Who dwells in us. The Spirit teaches us to know God’s Word and gives the power to do what God’s Word teaches us. The man who fears the LORD and finds great delight in His commandments will be richly blessed ( ). The blessings mentioned are typically Jewish and not typically Christian. That “his descendants will be mighty on earth” is a specifically Jewish blessing ( ). Now Israel is not yet mighty on earth, but will be in the realm of peace. This blessing will be enjoyed in the peace kingdom. This also applies to the blessing with which “the generation of the upright will be blessed”. The remnant consists of those who fear the LORD. They are called here “the upright” ( ). They do what is right or just in the sight of the LORD ( ). The blessing of the man who fears the LORD and delights in His commandments also concerns “his house” ( ). In it will be “wealth and riches”. He will have abundance of all earthly blessings (cf. ). To us who belong to the church, God’s heavenly people, applies that God has “blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly [places] in Christ” ( ). Job was a blessed man, but lost everything. This was done by satan, but under the permission of God because He had a purpose for it. This will not happen in the realm of peace because satan will be bound. In addition to earthly possessions, the righteous also has a spiritual feature and that is “his righteousness”. This points to his righteous actions. The Hebrew word for “give alms” is related to the word “righteous”. In some New Testament manuscripts, we find two Greek expressions in the first two verses of Matthew 6, namely, “to do righteousness” and “to do benevolence” or “to give alms” ( ). Both expressions may be a translation of one and the same Hebrew expression, namely tsadik . Its meaning is to do righteousness and to give alms. See where these terms are used. The righteous shows in his life that he knows God by dealing with his children and his possessions in the way that God desires. This acting has not only temporary value, but “endures forever”. The previous psalm says this of God ( ). What is true of God is also true of the righteous.

‏ Psalms 112:2

Introduction

Psalm 112 forms a unity with Psalm 111. We see this in the structure and length of both psalms. They are identical in structure, both are an ‘acrostic’, a special stylistic form in poetry. In this, the first word of each verse, part of a part or group of verses begins with the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

In Psalm 111, the LORD is praised in His works and wonders. Psalm 112 describes the features of those who fear the LORD and their blessings. These features are those of the remnant, formed in the school of God, through which they now show the features of Christ. The life of Jacob is an illustration of this.

Psalm 111 is about God – compare the first tablet of stone; Psalm 112 is about man – compare the second tablet of stone.

Great Delight in God’s Commandments

Like the previous psalm, this psalm begins with the exclamation “praise the LORD”, or “hallelujah”, which is at the same time a call (Psa 112:1). The last verse of the previous psalm states that “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” (Psa 111:10). This psalm follows on from that and continues with it, for here the psalmist begins by pronouncing “blessed” on “the man who fears the LORD”. This is another indication that the two psalms belong together (see Introduction to this psalm). The Man Who fears the LORD is true of the Lord Jesus in an absolute sense, but it also applies to all who possess His features and live by them.

Psalm 1 also begins with “blessed is the man”, a description that is perfectly answered by Christ. Here in Psalm 112 we find the remnant adorned with the features of Christ. It is with them as with Rebecca who is adorned with the jewels of Isaac. This applies to us to the degree that Christ is taking shape in us.

Next, the psalmist speaks of what characterizes that man who fears the LORD. His fear of the LORD is evident in the “great delight” he finds “in His commandments”. Fear is not anxiety, but awe. Connected to this fear is delight, even great delight, which makes it clear that there is no anxiety in this fear.

It is impossible to say that someone fears the LORD when His commandments mean nothing to him. Here these commandments are those of the law. The Old Testament believer who lives in a living relationship with God loves to read in God’s law, because there the will of God is written, in it he gets to know God better. The joy in God’s commandments consists not only in studying, but also in living by them.

We, New Testament believers, are not under law, but under grace. If we understand somewhat what grace is, our desire to know God’s will for our lives will be great. The expression of that desire is not to try to keep the law, but that we are willing to be led by the Spirit of God Who dwells in us. The Spirit teaches us to know God’s Word and gives the power to do what God’s Word teaches us.

The man who fears the LORD and finds great delight in His commandments will be richly blessed (Psa 112:2). The blessings mentioned are typically Jewish and not typically Christian. That “his descendants will be mighty on earth” is a specifically Jewish blessing (Deu 28:1-4). Now Israel is not yet mighty on earth, but will be in the realm of peace. This blessing will be enjoyed in the peace kingdom.

This also applies to the blessing with which “the generation of the upright will be blessed”. The remnant consists of those who fear the LORD. They are called here “the upright” (Psa 111:1). They do what is right or just in the sight of the LORD (Exo 15:26).

The blessing of the man who fears the LORD and delights in His commandments also concerns “his house” (Psa 112:3). In it will be “wealth and riches”. He will have abundance of all earthly blessings (cf. Deu 28:1-14). To us who belong to the church, God’s heavenly people, applies that God has “blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly [places] in Christ” (Eph 1:3).

Job was a blessed man, but lost everything. This was done by satan, but under the permission of God because He had a purpose for it. This will not happen in the realm of peace because satan will be bound.

In addition to earthly possessions, the righteous also has a spiritual feature and that is “his righteousness”. This points to his righteous actions. The Hebrew word for “give alms” is related to the word “righteous”. In some New Testament manuscripts, we find two Greek expressions in the first two verses of Matthew 6, namely, “to do righteousness” and “to do benevolence” or “to give alms” (Mt 6:1-2). Both expressions may be a translation of one and the same Hebrew expression, namely tsadik. Its meaning is to do righteousness and to give alms. See Psa 112:9 where these terms are used.

The righteous shows in his life that he knows God by dealing with his children and his possessions in the way that God desires. This acting has not only temporary value, but “endures forever”. The previous psalm says this of God (Psa 111:3). What is true of God is also true of the righteous.