Psalm 112

1650 psalter

The Recompense of Messiah and His Seed

Faith and works are evident in the life of this representative believer. Here, a God-fearing man is delineated for an example to encourage us to follow suit.

This man knew how to order his house, prosper his children, and is not slothful in his affairs. The riches gained are not necessarily material, but could be spiritual. He is as well, a helpful man to friends and neighbours. Compassion emanates from him, and his light shines before men. His faith makes him a strong man when faced with the unpleasantries of life. But he is also a disliked man, for his life is a testimony against the wicked. So the righteousness that is imputed to him, and also imparted to him by sanctification, marks him out as a godly man. We may fail of this standard through weaknesses and sins, but it remains an aspiration to strive for, through Christ who strengthens us.

Pastor Jeff O’ Neil

Recommended Tune: Praetorius, Caithness

Praetorius
Caithness

Psalm 112

¹Praise ye the LORD. The man is bless’d
That fears the LORD aright,
He who in his commandements
Doth greatly take delight.

²His seed and offspring powerful
Shall be the earth upon:
Of upright men blessed shall be
The generation.

³Riches and wealth shall ever be
Within his house in store;
And his unspotted righteousness
Endures for evermore.

⁴Unto the upright light doth rise,
Though he in darkness be:
Compassionate, and merciful,
And righteous, is he.

⁵A good man doth his favour show,
And doth to others lend:
He with discretion his affairs
Will guide unto the end.

⁶Surely there is not any thing
That ever shall him move:
The righteous man’s memorial
Shall everlasting prove.

⁷When he shall evil tidings hear,
He shall not be afraid:
His heart is fix’d, his confidence
Upon the LORD is stay’d.

⁸His heart is firmly stablished,
Afraid he shall not be,
Until upon his enemies
He his desire shall see.

⁹He hath dispers’d, giv’n to the poor;
His righteousness shall be
To ages all; with honour shall
His horn be raised high.

¹⁰The wicked shall it see, and fret,
His teeth gnash, melt away:
What wicked men do most desire
Shall utterly decay.