BLESSEDNESS OF FEARING THE LORD
PSALM 112:1-10
(August 21, 2019 - WED p.m. - MBC Baesa)

Psalm 111 and Psalm 112 is linked to each other closely.
These two Psalms have similarities:
1. both starts with the phrase “Hallelujah” ("Praise ye the Lord")
2. both are acrostics in style.
3. both written by the same person.

These two Psalms have dissimilarities in its focus:
1. Psalm 111 looks at God and His wonderful works
2. Psalm 112 looks at the godly man and the fruits of his faithfulness.
• There are instances when these two Psalms pictures occur at the same time; and this present chapter Psalm 112 can be look at as progression of the last verse of the previous chapter Psalm 111, on the blessings of fearing the Lord.

I- DESCRIPTION OF THE BLESSEDNESS OF THE GODLY MAN (v. 1-4)
     A. The Godly man is Blessed (v. 1)
          1. There is comparison of ‘delights’ in Psalm 112:1 with Psalm 111:2
Psalm 112:1 “Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments”
Psalm 111:2 “Great are the works of the Lord; They are studied by all who delight in them.”
          2. The interest of the Psalmist to the Word of God (Psalm 112:1) are like the interest of the naturalist to the Work of God (Psalm 111:2)
          3. The implication of the term used here “his commandments” shows that the Psalmist interest to the Word of God is to practice or obey the Word of God. What tightly grasp or hold him firmly is the Will and voice of God.
     B. The Generations of the Godly man is Blessed (v. 2)
Psalm 112:2 “His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.”
          1. The next generations will be blessed as an extension of the blessedness of the godly man.
          2. The Spiritual character of the blessed man is the foundation of his influence. The term used here is “upright”.

The coming other generations are influenced by the spiritual character and material possession of the Blessed man.
               a. Some families are enjoying living off their ancestor’s richness and prosperity invested or obtained hundreds of years past.
               b. Some families are profiting or receiving benefits from spiritual heritage of their forefathers passed on to their children.
• Generally, the western culture has continue for a long time period, benefiting from an ancient godly heritage.
     C. The Nation of the Godly man is blessed. (v. 3-4)
Psalm 112:3-4 “Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever. 4 Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous."
          1. Two Standards that shows the blessing of the Lord on the blessed man.
               a. “Wealth” (v.3a)
               b. “Light in darkness” (v.4a)
          2. Two Signs that the blessings of the Lord to the blessed man overflow to others
               a. Like the Lord, the blessed man possesses enduring righteousness (Psalm 112:3b; Psalm 111:3b)
Psalm 112:3b “and his righteousness endureth forever.” (Referring to the godly blessed man)
Psalm 111:3b “and his righteousness endureth for ever.” (Referring to God Himself)
               b. Like the Lord, the blessed man’s character is gracious and compassionate (Psalm 4b; Psalm 111:4b)
Psalm 112:4b “he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous." (Referring to the godly blessed man)
Psalm 111:4b “the Lord is gracious and full of compassion.” (Referring to God Himself)

II- DEALINGS OF THE BLESSED MAN IN HIS BLESSINGS (v. 5-9)
     A. The Blessed Man Lends his wealth instead of Keeping it. (v.5)
• People who are wealthy is tempted to keep it. But the Blessed man lends.
Psalm 112:5 “A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion”
          1. Generosity is here portrayed by showing favour. (v.5a)
          2. Generosity is here partnered by graciousness and justice (mishpat) (v.5b)
     B. The Blessed Man have faith in the Lord instead of Fear. (v.7-8)
• People who are wealthy is tempted to fear of losing it. But the Blessed man trusted the Lord.
Psalm 112:7-8 “He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. 8 His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.”
          1. Wealthy man can go much wrong – Wealthy man has much to lose (v.7a “afraid of evil things”)
          2. Wealthy man surrounded much of malice and rivalries (v.8, v.10)
Psalm 112:8b “until he see his desire upon enemies.”
Psalm 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.”
• You can only overcome fear when you turn to and trust the Lord, not hoping for improved circumstances. (v.7b)
Psalm 112:7b “his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord.”
     C. The Blessed Man gives his wealth instead of excessive desire to save money. (v.9, v.5-6)
• People who are wealthy is tempted to have miserliness or having excessive desire to save money.
          1. The difference between lend and give in v.5 and 9.
Psalm 112:9 “He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.”
Psalm 112:5“A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.”
          2. Generosity has much Benefits:
               a. Generous man is remembered (v. 6b)
Psalm 112:6 “Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.”
               b. Generosity never lose their value – (v.9b, v.3; Psalm 111:3)
Psalm 112:9 “He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.”
Psalm 112:3 “Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.”(about Blessed Man)
Psalm 111:3 “His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever.” (about God)
               c. Generosity is a great example to follow (v.9; 2 Corinthians 9:9)
• When Paul boasting of the generosity exemplified by the Philippians and their gifts to the poor saints of Jerusalem church while experiencing extreme poverty he quoted Psalm 112:9.
Psalm 112:9 “He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.”
2 Corinthians 9:9 “(As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.”

III- DANGER OF USELESS LIFE APART FROM GOD (v. 10)
• The partner Psalm which is Psalm 111 looks at God and His wonderful works ended with a verse that invited man’s answer (Psalm 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 Invitation and challenge is to fear the Lord by obedience to His commandments.
• The Present Psalm which is Psalm 112 as our passage of study have expounded that answer, settle the matter by showing the bitterness, life lasting only for a short time and futility is the only alternative way of life if we don’t fear the Lord by doing and obeying the Word of God. It was stated in the last verse Psalm 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 Bible says in Ecclesiastes 12:13 “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” And our text says in Psalm 112:1 “Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments”

God bless