Psalm 112: The Conditional Blessings of Following the Lord

[Preliminary Comments: The psalm reveals the blessings [identified by letters we have inserted in the text] that come to those who follow the Lord. However there are built into it a number of expectations of such people, conditions for those blessings that we have identified by numbers inserted within the text.]

v.1 The foundation for all the blessings that follow

v.1 Praise the Lord.

Blessed are those [i] who fear the Lord,
    who [ii] find great delight in his commands.

v.2 The children of such people will know ongoing blessing & security

v.2 Their children will be [a] mighty in the land;
    the generation [iii] of the upright [b] will be blessed.

v.3 Such trust and obedience will ensure material blessing

v.3 [c] Wealth and riches are in their houses,
    and [d] their righteousness endures for ever.

v.4 Even in difficulties they will know blessings

v.4 [e] Even in darkness light dawns [iv] for the upright,
    for those [v]who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.

v.5 Those who are generous and concerned with justice, will reap goodness

v.5 [f] Good will come to those [vi] who are generous and lend freely,
    [vii] who conduct their affairs with justice.

v.6 Such people will be strong and secure and recalled for ever

v.6 Surely [viii] the righteous [g] will never be shaken;
    they [h] will be remembered for ever.

v.7 Even when bad news comes they trust God will be there for them

v.7 [i] They will have no fear of bad news;
    [ix]their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.

v.8 In their security in the Lord they will be at peace having triumphed

v.8 [x] Their hearts are secure, [j] they will have no fear;
    [k] in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.

v.9 Having blessed others in their giving they will be exalted

v.9 [xi] They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor,
    [l] their righteousness endures for ever;
   [m] their horn will be lifted high in honor.

v.10 By contrast the wicked will anguish and die away.

v.10 The wicked will see and be vexed,
    they will gnash their teeth and waste away;
    the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.

[Additional Comments: Go back through this powerful psalm and, identifying the thirteen characteristics of such people as are described, go on to note the eleven blessings we have identified that they experience. Surely a blueprint for the ‘good life’. In some cases, we acknowledge, it is difficult to distinguish between character trait and blessing and you may therefore wish to change the numbers of each.

After perhaps going back and meditating on individual verses, now read it meaningfully out loud straight through

1 Praise the Lord.

Blessed are those who fear the Lord,
    who find great delight in his commands.

2 Their children will be mighty in the land;
    the generation of the upright will be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches are in their houses,
    and their righteousness endures for ever.
4 Even in darkness light dawns for the upright,
    for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.
5 Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely,
    who conduct their affairs with justice.

6 Surely the righteous will never be shaken;
    they will be remembered for ever.
7 They will have no fear of bad news;
    their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
8 Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear;
    in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.
9 They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor,
    their righteousness endures for ever;
    their horn will be lifted high in honour.

10 The wicked will see and be vexed,
    they will gnash their teeth and waste away;
    the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.

For those who may wish to make a study of this chapter, to perhaps think some more about what you have been reading, use the link below: