Psalm 112 | The Redeemed Righteous and the Fearless Fearful

INTRO

INTRO

The character of the God-fearing righteous (v. 1),

Blessings that come to them (vv. 2–5).

The righteous are secure because they can trust in Yahweh (vv. 6–9).

The ultimate fate of the wicked (v. 10).

But, to better understand it, we have to back up to the previous Psalm.

praises God for his work and character, and complements it by recognising the work and character of the godly, God-fearing man.

It takes up the idea of the fear of the Lord () and develops it by describing the way of life of the righteous man.

We can only be made righteous through the shared righteousness of God.

Psalms, Volumes 1–2: A Mentor Commentary 2. Praise for the Redeemer (vv. 2–9)

He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever—holy and awesome is his name (v. 9). God not only fed his people, but he did something far more wonderful. Part of the commitment of God’s covenant with Abraham was the promise of redemption from Egypt (Gen. 15:13–16), a promise reaffirmed to Moses (Exod. 3:7–10, 16–17). In later Old Testament prophecy (Isa. 42:6–7; 49:8; 55:3–5; Jer. 31:31–34) and in New Testament fulfilment (Matt. 26:28; Luke 22:20) redemption remained central to the covenant idea. The declaration regarding the covenant uses the same expression to denote its continuance as was used already in verse 5 (leʿôlâm berîtô). The covenant God, the redeemer of his people, also showed his character in what he did in providing redemption. He was seen as holy (Exod. 3:5–6; Deut. 5:23–27) and awesome (Deut. 10:17).

Throughout the Scripture, God covenants to send redemption for His people.

Psalm 111:9 KJV

9 He sent redemption unto his people: He hath commanded his covenant for ever: Holy and reverend is his name.

Ps 11:9

God not only fed his people, but he did something far more wonderful.

He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever—holy and awesome is his name (v. 9). God not only fed his people, but he did something far more wonderful. Part of the commitment of God’s covenant with Abraham was the promise of redemption from Egypt (), a promise reaffirmed to Moses (, ). In later Old Testament prophecy (; ; ; ) and in New Testament fulfilment (; ) redemption remained central to the covenant idea. The declaration regarding the covenant uses the same expression to denote its continuance as was used already in verse 5 (leʿôlâm berîtô). The covenant God, the redeemer of his people, also showed his character in what he did in providing redemption. He was seen as holy (; ) and awesome ().1

Part of the commitment of God’s covenant with Abraham was:

- the promise of redemption from Egypt

Genesis 15:13–16 KJV

13 And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; 14 And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. 15 And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age. 16 But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.

),

- a promise reaffirmed to Moses

Exodus 3:7–10 KJV

7 And the Lord said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; 8 And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 9 Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them. 10 Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.

,

- In later Old Testament prophecy

(; ; ; )

- In New Testament fulfilment

Matthew 26:28 KJV

28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

; ) redemption remained central to the covenant idea.

Redemption and the covenant

The character of God displayed through His covenant and redemption.

He was seen as holy (; ) and awesome ()

Why would God redeem people?

1 Harman, A. (2011). Psalms: A Mentor Commentary (Vol. 1–2, p. 802). Ross-shire, Great Britain: Mentor.

Why would God redeem people?

He redeems to transform us to His likeness and invite us into fellowship.

TRANS

Today, we will look at paralleling attributes described in these two Psalms.

In , they are descriptions of God.

In , they are descriptions of the God-fearing, righteous person.

Psalms, Volumes 1–2: A Mentor Commentary Psalm 112

The LORD’S Qualities

The Qualities of the Godly Man

righteous (3)

righteous (3, 6, 9)

gracious and compassionate (4)

gracious and compassionate (4)

just (7)

justice (5)

remembers (5)

remembered (6)

steadfast (8)

secure (8)

provides (Hebrew gave, 5)

gifts (Hebrew he gave, 9)

forever (5, 8, 9)

forever (6)

PARALLEL ATTRIBUTES

The Qualities of the Godly Man

righteous (111:3)

righteous (112:3, 6, 9)

gracious and compassionate (111:4)

gracious and compassionate (112:4)

just (111:7)

justice (112:5)

remembers (111:5)

remembered (112:6)

steadfast (111:8)

established (112:7-8)

The righteous will not be afraid of bad news because his heart is fixed, or ready, for what life brings. He is trusting in God.

The righteous will not be afraid of bad news because his heart is fixed, or ready, for what life brings. He is trusting in God.

The person who fears God and lives righteously is ready for whatever life brings.

One who doesn't fear God, lives driven after their own desires without care of God, and this one is blind-sided when life doesn't turn out the way they are trying to design it to be.

provides (111:5)

charitable (112:9)

Proverbs 11:24 KJV

24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; And there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.

forever (111:5, 8, 9)

forever (112:3, 6

The righteous will not be afraid of bad news because his heart is fixed, or ready, for what life brings. He is trusting in God.

The person who fears God and lives righteously is ready for whatever life brings.

CONCLUSION

One who doesn't fear God, lives driven after their own desires without care of God, and this one is blind-sided when life doesn't turn out the way they are trying to design it to be.

displays several attributes of righteous God, and reveals those same attributes in the life of the righteous, God-fearing follower of God. As a redeemed follower of God, would you say these attributes are evident in your life?

Proverbs 11:24 KJV

24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; And there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.