Title: Psalm 112 "Blessed are you"
Contents
Psalm 112 "Blessed are you"
This psalm is a sequel to the previous Psalm 111, and the first part emphasizes that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and this part emphasizes that the fear of the Lord is blessing. And he emphasized that the truly blessed are those who fear the Lord and at the same time show favor to the needy. This is the consistent teaching of the Old and New Testaments (Isaiah 1:17; James 1:27).
1. "Hallelujah, blessed are those who fear the Lord" (1-4)
"Hallelujah" (1). Before proclaiming the truth, the poet praised God first, as always. When thinking of the blessings that God-fearing people receive, the first words that came out of his mouth were not logical statements, but admiring praises.
"His descendants will be strong on the earth" (2). The first blessing that those who fear God receive is that their descendants become strong. The second blessing is to have wealth and riches in the house of him and his descendants. Wealth here may mean wealth, but it does not necessarily mean wealth. A person who has God as his inheritance and lives a life of satisfaction and leisure can be said to be a person of wealth. The third blessing is that his righteousness endures forever. The righteousness which the Lord bestows upon those who fear God is eternal. The fourth blessing is the blessing in which light arises in the midst of darkness. Those who fear God live a life of light in a dark and sinful world.
2. It is well with the one who gives grace and borrows (5-10)
“It is well with the one who lends and lends favorably” (5). He is a person who fears God, who receives blessings from God, and at the same time gives and lends favor to people. The fear of God and love of neighbor are inseparable and inseparable.
"It's all right" (5). Those who give favors and borrow will prosper. That is to say, it gets annoying. And he continues to do it with justice, that is, giving and borrowing favors. He is forever unmoved. He is not afraid of bad news. This is because he lives (set his heart firmly) with two goals in life: trusting in God and giving grace to his neighbors.
“He scattered and gave to the needy” (9). He usually does not give relief in moderation, but very thoroughly and extensively. In other words, instead of hoarding wealth, they scatter it very much and give it to the poor.
“His righteousness endures forever, and his horns shall be exalted with glory” (9). "The righteousness of the saints, who gave alms to others, is eternal and is like his horns. James knew, "Mercy triumphs over judgment and boasts" (James 2:13). On the other hand, the wicked who live while ignoring God and their neighbors will eventually see the prosperity of the righteous and die while grinding their teeth.
3. Application: Like the poet here, let us become blessed people who practice the faith of fear of God and the life of giving to our neighbors. And let us praise God. Hallelujah!