Psa 112:6 | KingComments | STEP | Because the wise man finds his delight in the commandments of God, it is certain that “he will never be shaken” ( ). This refers both to his life with its trials and tribulations and to the realm of peace in which every Old Testament believer will receive all the promised blessings. Because of his steadfast walk, “the righteous will be remembered forever”. He will be remembered with thankfulness (cf. ; ). This is especially true of the Lord Jesus, the Just or Righteous ( ). That the realm of peace is not yet seen as having arrived here is also evident from the fact that “evil tidings” may be spread about the righteous ( ). But this evil tidings that circulates about him does not frighten him. This is not because of great self-confidence, but because “his heart is steadfast”, for it is “trusting in the LORD”. He who trusts in the Lord knows himself to be hidden in Him and does not become afraid of what people say about him or do to him. His heart is steadfast because of his trust in the LORD, and by his trust in the LORD his heart is upheld ( ). Therefore, “he will not fear” no matter what comes his way, whether it is bad news that is told to him, or whether there are opponents who want to kill him. His opponents will not have the last word, but the LORD. It is a matter of time, but the time will come that “he looks [with satisfaction] on his adversaries”. Until that time, he must go his way quietly trusting in the LORD. As he, surrounded by opponents, continues his way, he gives “freely to the poor” ( ). ”He has given feely to the poor” is literally “he has scattered, he has given to the poor”. “Scattering” and “giving to the poor” are the pre-eminent features of the righteous. He is not concerned with himself and his own circumstances, but with the poor. This is “his righteousness”, his just action, which involves giving others what they need. ‘Alms’ in Hebrew is the feminine form of ‘righteous’, tsedeka and tsedek respectively. Its value “endures forever”. Paul quotes these two lines of this verse in connection with the believers’ giving to those who are poor ( ). There he speaks of scattering abroad and giving to the poor and makes it clear that scattering abroad and giving is not a loss, but a righteous act of which the value lasts forever. The harvest of it is seen forever. Paul places ‘scattering’ and ‘giving freely’ in the light of God as the great Giver ( ). God has freely given the greatest gift ever given. An absolutely incomparable gift. God could give no greater evidence of being a Giver than in the gift of His Son. This is His own, only, beloved Son. The “horn”, the symbol of strength, of the giver “will be exalted in honor”. It takes a great deal of spiritual strength to think not of oneself, but of the needs of others, in the face of all one’s own distress and prevailing selfishness. The way of self-denial is the way of victory over all opposition. The glory that is connected to it, comes. The Lord Jesus sees what has been done to others in His Name as done to Him ( ). For this He will openly express His appreciation and reward it with a position of honor in His kingdom. He who gives, can rule.

‏ Psalms 112:6

The Upright Endures Forever

Because the wise man finds his delight in the commandments of God, it is certain that “he will never be shaken” (Psa 112:6). This refers both to his life with its trials and tribulations and to the realm of peace in which every Old Testament believer will receive all the promised blessings. Because of his steadfast walk, “the righteous will be remembered forever”. He will be remembered with thankfulness (cf. Pro 10:7a; Acts 9:39). This is especially true of the Lord Jesus, the Just or Righteous (1Pet 3:18).

That the realm of peace is not yet seen as having arrived here is also evident from the fact that “evil tidings” may be spread about the righteous (Psa 112:7). But this evil tidings that circulates about him does not frighten him. This is not because of great self-confidence, but because “his heart is steadfast”, for it is “trusting in the LORD”. He who trusts in the Lord knows himself to be hidden in Him and does not become afraid of what people say about him or do to him.

His heart is steadfast because of his trust in the LORD, and by his trust in the LORD his heart is upheld (Psa 112:8). Therefore, “he will not fear” no matter what comes his way, whether it is bad news that is told to him, or whether there are opponents who want to kill him. His opponents will not have the last word, but the LORD. It is a matter of time, but the time will come that “he looks [with satisfaction] on his adversaries”. Until that time, he must go his way quietly trusting in the LORD.

As he, surrounded by opponents, continues his way, he gives “freely to the poor” (Psa 112:9). ”He has given feely to the poor” is literally “he has scattered, he has given to the poor”. “Scattering” and “giving to the poor” are the pre-eminent features of the righteous. He is not concerned with himself and his own circumstances, but with the poor. This is “his righteousness”, his just action, which involves giving others what they need. ‘Alms’ in Hebrew is the feminine form of ‘righteous’, tsedeka and tsedek respectively. Its value “endures forever”.

Paul quotes these two lines of this verse in connection with the believers’ giving to those who are poor (2Cor 9:9). There he speaks of scattering abroad and giving to the poor and makes it clear that scattering abroad and giving is not a loss, but a righteous act of which the value lasts forever. The harvest of it is seen forever.

Paul places ‘scattering’ and ‘giving freely’ in the light of God as the great Giver (2Cor 9:15). God has freely given the greatest gift ever given. An absolutely incomparable gift. God could give no greater evidence of being a Giver than in the gift of His Son. This is His own, only, beloved Son.

The “horn”, the symbol of strength, of the giver “will be exalted in honor”. It takes a great deal of spiritual strength to think not of oneself, but of the needs of others, in the face of all one’s own distress and prevailing selfishness. The way of self-denial is the way of victory over all opposition. The glory that is connected to it, comes. The Lord Jesus sees what has been done to others in His Name as done to Him (Mt 25:34-40). For this He will openly express His appreciation and reward it with a position of honor in His kingdom. He who gives, can rule.