Psalms Chapter 112

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns 10 Verses

What is Psalms 112 about?

One hundred fifty inspired poems and hymns — Israel's prayer book, spanning lament and praise, confession and trust. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1Praise ye Jehovah. Blessed is the man that feareth Jehovah, That delighteth greatly in his commandments.
2His seed shall be mighty upon earth: The generation of the upright shall be blessed.
3Wealth and riches are in his house; And his righteousness endureth for ever.
4Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: [He is] gracious, and merciful, and righteous.
5Well is it with the man that dealeth graciously and lendeth; He shall maintain his cause in judgment.
6For he shall never be moved; The righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance.
7He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: His heart is fixed, trusting in Jehovah.
8His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, Until he see [his desire] upon his adversaries.
9He hath dispersed, he hath given to the needy; His righteousness endureth for ever: His horn shall be exalted with honor.
10The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; He shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: The desire of the wicked shall perish. Psalm 113

What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“Praise ye the Lord, etc.] Or, “hallelujah”. This is properly the title of the psalm: Aben Ezra says it is a word of the psalmist; it shows that all that a good man is, has, or does, is from the Lord; and therefore his name is to be praised: and he is not only to be praised for his perfections and works, but for this among others, that there are any good men on earth that fear and serve him, and are useful in their day and generation. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord; not men, but the Lord; not his wrath, nor his judgments here or hereafter, but his goodness; not with a servile, but with a godly fear. This…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“The writer briefly and beautifully celebrates God's former care of His people, to whose benefit nature was miraculously made to contribute. (Psa 114:1-8) of strange language--(compare Psa 81:5).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“Praise ye the Lord - Margin, as in Hebrew, “Hallelujah.” See the notes at Psalms 106:1. Blessed is the man - Hebrew, “The blessings of the man.” See the notes at Psalms 1:1. That is, Blessed, or happy, is such a one. That feareth the Lord - In Psalms 111:10, the psalmist had referred to “the fear of the Lord” as “the beginning of wisdom,” and had “alluded” to the success, prosperity, or happiness which attends the fear of the Lord, or true religion. This psalm is designed more fully “to illustrate” that thought. That delighteth greatly in his commandments - See the notes at Psalms 1:2. It is a characteristic of…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 2
“Generation - The posterity. Psalms 112:3”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“Ps 112 This psalm reiterates the themes of wisdom and the fear of the Lord (Ps 111). The wise have reason to be happy (112:1-5) and vigorous (112:6-10). 112:1-5 The fear of the Lord leads to a life of wisdom that honors God and blesses the family and community. The godly joyfully imitate God; their obedience is not slavish.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“Praise ye the Lord: Heb. Hallelujah, Psa 111:1, Psa 147:1, Psa 148:11-14, Psa 150:1; This is another of the alphabetical Psalms, being formed exactly as the preceding in the division of its verses; and, like it, was probably composed for the use of the Jews, after their return from captivity. Blessed: Psa 111:10, Psa 115:7-13, Psa 128:1, Psa 145:19; Isa 50:10; Luk 1:50 delighteth: Psa 1:1, Psa 1:2, Psa 40:8, Psa 119:16, Psa 119:35, Psa 119:47, Psa 119:48, Psa 119:70-72, Psa 119:97, Psa 119:143; Rom 7:22, Rom 8:6 Psalms 112:2”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · on verse 1
“As in the preceding Psalm. Psa 112:1 here also sets forth the theme of that which follows. What is there said in Psa 112:3 concerning the righteousness of God, Psa 112:3 here says of the righteousness of him who fears God: this also standeth fast for ever, it is indeed the copy of the divine, it is the work and gift of God ( Psa 24:5), inasmuch as God's salutary action and behaviour, laid hold of in faith, works a like form of action and behaviour to it in man, which, as Psa 112:9 says, is, according to its nature, love. The promise in Psa 112:4 sounds like Isa 60:2. Hengstenberg renders: "There ariseth in the…”
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