No author is identified for this psalm of praise. The Jewish Study Bible offers this insight: “This is the first of two acrostic psalms introduced by “Hallelujah,” comprised of short lines that often quote traditional expressions, and containing wisdom ideas. They are somewhat disjointed, and look like very successful answers to the following (possibly student) exercise: Compose a logical, complete acrostic of short lines using traditional statements. Perhaps the simple style suggests that these were didactic poems for children.”
Guzik: “Many commentators note the connection between Psalms 111 and 112. James Montgomery Boice observed, ‘the two psalms are an obviously matched pair. The first is an acrostic poem about God; the second is an acrostic poem about the godly man.’”
Psalms 111:1 ¶ Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.
The composer calls for all people to praise the LORD, to celebrate who He is and all He does. When we sing or shout “Hallelujah!” we are saying “praise the LORD.” The Psalmist declares his intent to boldly and publicly praise the LORD with all his heart, with complete sincerity.
Spurgeon: “…the true heart should sing hallelujah in any and every place. Why should we fear the presence of men? The best of men will join us in our song, and if the common sort will not do so, our example will be a needed rebuke to them.”
Psalms 111:2 The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
Psalms 111:3 His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
The Psalmist describes the works of the LORD as great, honorable (beautiful, majestic) and glorious (magnificent and beautiful). The Hebrew for “sought out” makes reference to pursuit with intent to worship. All who take pleasure in the works of the LORD should respond with the desire to show their gratitude in the form of worship. His righteousness (moral virtue) is described as enduring forever.
Psalms 111:4 He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.
Psalms 111:5 He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant.
“Wonderful works” includes a reference to miracles, and the miracles of the LORD are not easily forgotten. In fact, we are still talking about His miracles of old today. I am sure the Psalmist had in mind the many miracles the LORD had done on behalf of the people of Israel to bring them out of Egypt and into the Promised Land.
The Psalmist also notes that the LORD is kind, merciful (from Hebrew for “gracious”) and full of compassion (mercy, pity). Those traits are what prompt Him to provide for those that revere Him and respond to Him accordingly. He is always mindful of promises. Implied—He will always be true to His word.
“He hath given meat…” - Again, I am sure the Psalmist was probably thinking about how God fed the people of Israel as they journeyed in the wilderness. I don’t think it is wrong to make application to the way God continues to provide both physical and spiritual food for the growth and sustenance of those that fear Him.
Psalms 111:6 ¶ He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.
The Psalmist notes how the LORD has demonstrated His great power by giving them the lands formerly possessed by people who worshipped false gods. Again, I am sure he is probably referencing the miracles that delivered the people of Israel from Egypt, as well as His faithfulness in allowing them to conquer the people of Canaan.
Psalms 111:7 The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.
Psalms 111:8 They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.
The Psalmist knows that all that the LORD does is rooted in morality, faithfulness and in accordance with His law. His commandments are trustworthy and right at all times. God always acts and speaks in truth and justice. Truth never changes.
Psalms 111:9 He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.
The LORD redeemed or delivered His people Israel from their bondage in Egypt. The truth is that He has provided redemption for all people that turn to Him in faith and repentance through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus the Messiah; He has redeemed them from the curse of sin. His covenant, any promise that He makes will stand forever.
Isaiah 40:8 “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.”
The Psalmist also realizes that the name of God is holy and reverend because it is interconnected with the character of a holy and reverend God, a God deserving of our “profound respect and esteem mingled with fear” (Webster). We should never use God’s name without giving it due respect. It should not be used as a curse word or a common exclamation of surprise. It really grieves me to hear God’s name used in vain by anyone but especially when I hear it from the mouths of those that claim to be Christian, e.g., “Oh my God.”
Psalms 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
The Psalmist ends with an important truth—“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.” As noted above, this fear is rooted in profound respect and esteem. Only when we truly esteem the source of all truth can we expect to gain wisdom to make the best use of our knowledge of that truth. Those who obey God’s commandments prove themselves to be wise.
The Psalmist closes with the truth that God will be deserving of our praise forever; He never changes!
Spurgeon: “The praises of God will never cease, because his works will always excite adoration, and it will always be the wisdom of men to extol their glorious Lord.”
Wiersbe: “The fear of the Lord is a topic mentioned frequently in Scripture, especially in the book of Proverbs. It is not the slavish fear of a criminal before a judge but the loving and reverential fear of a child for his or her parents.”
Guzik: “Many commentators note the connection between Psalms 111 and 112. James Montgomery Boice observed, ‘the two psalms are an obviously matched pair. The first is an acrostic poem about God; the second is an acrostic poem about the godly man.’”
JFB: “This Psalm may be regarded as an exposition of Psalms 111:10, presenting the happiness of those who fear and obey God, and contrasting the fate of the ungodly.”
Psalms 112:1 ¶ Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.
As in the previous psalm, the composer opens with “Hallelujah,” or “praise ye the LORD.” He picks up in this psalm where the previous psalm left off, stating the truth that the man that reverences the LORD and obeys His commandments is a blessed man, a happy man.
Commandments and rules are more naturally connected in our minds to keeping us from doing things we want to do. The person that reverences the LORD realizes that God’s commands are intended for his good, for his protection. The wise child recognizes that loving, responsible parents make rules for the very same reason.
This verse is a companion to Psalm 1:2 in reference to the blessed man: “But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.”
Psalms 112:2 His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.
The words that stood out to me from the Hebrew for “mighty” were “excel” and “strong.” The man that reverences the LORD and obeys His commands establishes a foundation from which his children are prepared to excel and be strong in the LORD. They, too, will find themselves blessed if they follow the spiritual example of their father. Sadly, this is not a guarantee that all the children of a godly man will follow his example. Each person is free to make their own choice.
Psalms 112:3 Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
This verse can be confusing if we understand it in light of what the world considers wealth and riches. Obviously, not every person that loves and obeys the LORD will be wealthy and rich from the world’s point of view. From God’s point of view, however, that person will possess spiritual wealth and riches that will last for eternity. There are people that God blesses with both physical and spiritual wealth. Worldly wealth is left behind when one dies. Spiritual wealth endures for eternity.
Psalms 49:16–17 “Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased; For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.”
Matthew 6:19–20 “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal….”
When a man reverences the LORD to the point of faith and obedience, one of his greatest treasures is that he will be declared righteous forever. We believers have been declared righteous in Jesus. That applies not only to the Christian today, but to every person that placed their faith in God in repentance and obedience even before Jesus came into the world to redeem us from sin.
2 Corinthians 5:20–21 “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
Psalms 112:4 Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
The one that fears God will be able to see the light even in times of great darkness of sorrow, misery and/or wickedness. How is that possible? It is because God is gracious (kind and merciful), full of compassion (love and mercy) and righteous (just). He is always working for good in the lives of those that love Him. He comforts us in the dark times through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
2 Corinthians 1:3–4 “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.”
Psalms 112:5 A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.
The different translations certainly read differently on this verse, giving different shades of meaning. Of the eight that I checked, most align with the NIV.
NIV - “Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice.”
I think the truth is there no matter which way you read it. A “good” man will be kind and merciful to others, willing to lend in whatever way he can help. It is also true that God will return good to the person that is kind and merciful and willing to help others. This type of person will manage his affairs in accordance with God’s law, acting with moral integrity toward others.
Psalms 112:6 ¶ Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.
Psalms 112:7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.
Psalms 112:8 His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.
The person that truly reverences God will maintain his faith and character despite the darkness he/she may encounter. Though he would rather avoid it, he does not fear sorrow or evil. Why? Because he has complete faith in the LORD to do what is right and keep His promises. His heart is established; he is leaning upon the LORD in faith; he trusts God to sustain him. He knows that in the end the LORD will carry him through to victory over his enemies—be they physical or spiritual forces of evil. This person is one that is remembered forever—in the eyes and heart of God.
The three Hebrew children that were thrown into the fiery furnace are great examples of this type of faith.
Daniel 3:16–18 “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.”
Psalms 112:9 He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.
I liked the wording of the NLT for this verse: “They give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will never be forgotten. They will have influence and honor.”
This verse seems to be an exclamation point for what has been said previously. The person that fears the LORD will be kind and generous to the poor, freely giving to help supply their needs. God makes note of these actions and will reward him accordingly.
Psalms 112:10 The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.
The wicked are never happy when they see how God blesses those that reverence Him. They respond in anger. (Just watch the news each day!) They will one day find that their desires will die with them. Oh how they will wish they had been like the blessed man that feared the LORD!