Psalms 112

A Praise-song of the godly, which have a promise of the life present and to come, and whose prosperity is a grief of heart to the ungodly.

1. Hallelu-Jah. Aleph. [This Psalm like the former, Hath also in every verse two or three Hebrew letters in Alphabetical order, beginning the Sentences.] Right happy is the man that feareth the LORD: Beth. That hath great delight in his Commandements.

2. Gimel. His seed [i.e. his children, posterity on earth: Daleth. The generation of the upright shall be blessed.

3. He. In his house there shall be wealth and riches: Vau. And his righteousness [i.e. his godliness and honesty together with the fruits thereof. See v.9.Or, the everlasting reward of the same, which he is to receive by grace] abideth in Eternity.

4. Zain. To the upright there ariseth the light in the darkness: [Light doth signify here and elsewhere comfort, peace, joy, help, deliverance; and so darkness, adversity, misery, sorrow, grief, Job 30.36. Esth.8.16. Psalms 107:10.] Cheth. He is gracious, [God namely, as Psalms 111:4. or he, viz. The godly man, as v.5.] and merciful, and righteous.

5. Teth. Well to, [Or happy is, Or good is] that man which pitteth and lendeth forth: Jod. He doth order his affairs with right. [others, he shall maintain his cause in the right (or judgement.)]

6. Caph. Surely he shall not waver in Eternity: [He will say. Although it happen that an honest pious man, do now and then meet with adversity, yet he shall never be so overthrown and cast down, as to lie down for ever, but shall get up again. See Psalm 15.on v.5.] Lamed. [The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. [with God and all the godly, where his memory will always be honourably entertained.]

7. Mem. He shall be afraid of no evil report: [Whether it be, that men speak evil of him without cause (for he hath a good conscience): or that there come bad news to his ears, (for he trusteth in God).] Nun. His heart is firm [See the note on Psalm 51.v.12.] confiding in the LORD.

8. Samech. His heart being well underpropped, shall not fear. Ain. Till he be upon his adversaries. [viz. His delight, or the judgement of God. See of the like abrupt kind of expressions, Psalm 22.on verse 18. And Psalm 54.9.]

9. Pe. He scattereth forth [viz. His wealth, without hoping for any return, Luke 6.v.35. See also 2 Cor.9 9.] he giveth to the needy: Tsade, his righteousness abideth in Eternity: [i.e. he growth never weary of doing good, and of bringing forth fruits of righteousness. Compare above v.3.] Koph. His horn [i.e. his greatness and power. See Deut.33.on v.17. and 1 Sam.2.1. Psalm.89.18,25. And 92.1.] shall be exalted in honour.

10. Rosh. The ungodly shall see it, and he shall be wroth: Schin. He shall gnash with his teeth, and molt. Thau. The wish of the ungodly shall perish. [i.e. he shall never obtain that which he longeth after. See Prov.10.2.8,24. And 13.9.]