Psalm 111-112
Notes
Psalm 111. This is a hymn of praise, celebrating the great works that the Lord has done for his people in calling them to be his, in caring for them, and in protecting them.
Psalms 111–112 go together. Both follow an acrostic pattern: after the initial “Praise the LORD” (Hb. hallelu-yah), the first word of each line begins with the successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
For both psalms, the flow of thought is governed by the acrostic structure. Psalm 111:10 brings its praise to a close with a reference to the fear of the Lord—a “wisdom” idea, coupled with “understanding”—while Ps. 112:1 leads off its wisdom meditation with “the man who fears the LORD.”
This clear connection helps readers in interpretation: in Psalm 111 it is the Lord whose “righteousness endures forever” (v. 3) and who is “gracious and merciful” (v. 4, echoing Ex. 34:6), while in Psalm 112 it is the godly person whose “righteousness endures forever” (112:3) and who is “gracious and merciful” (112:4).
The implication is that the person who fears the Lord and attends to his commandments has God’s own moral traits reflected in his character. This is the goal of redemption, to renew the image of God in human beings.
Psalm 111, in stressing God’s mighty deeds of redemption for his people, focuses on the “big story” for the whole people; Psalm 112, in stressing “wisdom,” encourages each member of God’s people in a day-to-day walk, a “little story,” that contributes to the big story of the whole people.
111:5 those who fear him. See v. 10; 112:1. remembers his covenant. See notes on 25:6–7; 105:8. Just as God “remembers,” so should his people remember (111:4).
111:6 This describes the taking of the Promised Land.
111:9 Final redemption and final fulfillment of God’s covenant is accomplished in Christ (2 Cor. 1:20; Heb. 7:25; 8:6–13).
111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. See note on Prov. 1:7. By mentioning this and good understanding (i.e., sound insight into God’s moral order for the world), the psalm paves the way for Psalm 112, a “wisdom psalm.”
112:1 Christ is the supremely righteous man (Acts 3:14), and in him we too receive the reward for righteousness (Eph. 1:3–14). See note on Ps. 1:1.
112:3 Wealth and riches. See note on Prov. 10:4. his righteousness endures forever. In Ps. 111:3, this referred to God’s righteousness, his moral uprightness and faithfulness to his promises. Now the same expression is used of the faithful: God’s own character is visible in them (cf. 2 Pet. 1:4). The godly, with their character genuinely reflecting God’s image, will dwell forever under God’s love and watchful care.
he is gracious, merciful, and righteous. “The upright” is plural; now the verse speaks of each one of them. They show the character of the Lord himself (Ps. 111:4; see note on 112:3). Particular aspects of this character include generosity and fair dealing (vv. 5, 9).
112:9 Paul quotes from this verse in 2 Cor. 9:9, encouraging the Corinthian Christians to give generously to the collection for poor Jewish Christians in Judea. The psalm shows why they should not fear (because God will honor and care for them); it also shows a lovely community orientation that provides a stark contrast to the ugly selfishness that Paul had to correct in 1 Corinthians. The NT “community” now transcends national and ethnic boundaries, including people of all kinds who believe in Jesus.
112:9 The principle of generosity continues in the NT (2 Cor. 9:9).
112:10 The wicked man is the person who despises the covenant; here he is probably an Israelite. The desire of such people will not bear fruit; instead it will perish, because the God who made and rules the world delights in those who fear him.
