Psalms 112

This Psalm is composed after the very same manner with the former; and seems to be intended for a short commentary upon the last verse of it: shewing how well and wisely they consult their own good and happiness, who observe God’s commandments; especially those about charity, or doing good toothers. Of which that they might be always mindful, the Psalm is contrived, for the help of their memories, into as many short versicles as there are letters in the Hebrew alphabet. Hallelujah therefore is no part of them, but the title prefixed to the Psalm, (see Argument upon Psalm cxi.) to excite them to praise the Lord; who had made it their present interest to be religious. secntion of Saul. Which he prays to God (as Theodoret observes upon the third and fourth verses) he may be able to bear so patiently, that it may not exasperate his spirit to speak irreverently of Saul; much less to do him any mischief: but leave it nnto God, to take his enemies in the snare they had laid for him. Nobody need wonder, that there are so many prayers found upon the same subject; for that persecution endured long, and they were made upon different occasions, or to different purposes: and if they had been all to the same purpose, it would not have be’fen strange to him that considers the pious disposition of David; who loved to spend his time in such devout meditations. And this seems to have been composed about the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, (ver. 2.) when his afflictions also pressed him sorely, that they tempted him to speak something which was, ov*c tv-n-pzirlg (as Theodoret’s phrase is), unbecoming God’s anointed (Saul), and the profession he made of duty to him.

Psalms 112:1

Jl RAISE ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. Happy is that man whose chiefest care it is to please the Lord, by observing his commandments: which will yield, in the issue, the highest pleasure and satisfaction to himself. JLdORD, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee.] The danger wherein I am, O Lord, is exceeding great, (1 Sam. xxiii. 25. xxiv. 1, 2.) which makes me double my cries, and beseech thee the more importunately, speedily to \succour me (when my distresses call for it) with seasonable relief.

Psalms 112:2

His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed. And procure a blessing also upon all belonging to him: first, upon his children, and those that shall descend from them in future times; who shall fare the better, and be more powerful and prosperous, for the sincere virtue of their pious forefathers: * Let my prayer beset forth before thee as incense, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.’] Though I am now in a wilderness, and thereby disabled from offering thee any other sacrifice but my prayers; yet they shall be as acceptable to thee, as if they were accompanied with the sweetest odours: and my fervent devotion in them, with entire dependance on thee alone for help, be as prevalent, as if I could now present thee, at tfee tabernacle, with an evening oblation. Ver. <l. Set a ivatch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.] And in the first place, I humbly desire thee, O Lord,, to lay such restraints upon my tongue, and to enable me so vigilantly to observe all the motions of it; that none of the troubles I endure, though never so grievous, may make me burst out into any intemperate speeches; which may give a just offence to them that persecute me.

Psalms 112:3

Wealth and riches shall be in his house; and his righteousness endureth for ever. And next on his estate; which shall not only be rich and plentiful, but so firmly settled and entailed on his posterity, that they shall reap the perpetual fruit of his justice and charity.

Psalms 112:4

Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. Or if any affliction come, it will be so far from making him unhappy, that, besides the Divine comforts imparted to him for his support, it will make the virtue of upright men the more illustrious: while one exercises meekness and sweetness to those that provoke him, another forgives offences, and pities the instruments of his trouble; and a third exercises the greater justice of mercy, and will not be tempted to do any dishonest or, cruel thing for his own deliverance. Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to prac~ tise wicked work&tvith men that work iniquity; and let me not eat of Oieir dainties.] Yea, govern all the motions of my will so steadily, that I may not listen to evil counsels, (1 Sam. xxiv. 4. G, 7.)’ much less engage with men, who have no regard to right and justice, in any evil practices; but always refuse to partake in their designs; though invited with the specious promises of the greatest felicity.

Psalms 112:5

A good man sheweth favour, andlendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion. But, above all other men, he leads tho most comfortable life, who is so kind, that he supplies the needs of others; giving to one, and lending to another, as occasion serves: and yet ordering all his affairs so judiciously, that he doth not impair, but rather maintain, the good estate of his own family. Let the righteous smite me, it shall be a kindness; and let him reprove me, it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.] 1 had rather much that a righteous man should give me a severe rebuke, than be enticed by evil-doers to accompany them in their sins: for it will do me a real-kindness, and be so far from giving me any vexation-, that it will he: as acceptable to me as the most excellent ointments are unto the head; and only make me continue my prayers with the greater earnestness,, that I may not run into those mischievous courses, from which I am deterred by their pious reproofs and admonitions. Ver. G. When their judges are overthrown in stony places, they shall hear my words: for they are sweet J] The effect of which their greatest rulers have seen, when, being left by their master on the sides of the rock, (1 Sam. xxiv. 2, 3.) while he went into a hole of it to uncover his feet, they heard that I spake not a reviling word (much less did I stretch out my hand against him), but in the mildest and most dutiful language addressed myself unto him, (1 Sam. xxiv. 8, 9, &c.)

Psalms 112:6

Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righte ous shall be in everlasting remembrance.* Sure it will not be in the power of the most mighty and malicious enemies (though they may disturb him) quite to overthrow him: and when they are forgotten, or mentioned with contempt, the worthy actions of this sort of righteous men shall be celebrated with never-ceasing praises.

Psalms 112:7

He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. He is not affrighted and discomposed at the false reports that are raised of him; nor at the rumour of dangers which threaten him: being prepared for such things as these, by a settled trust and hope in God; that he will take care of him, who hath been as kind as he could to others in their distresses. Our bones are scattered at the grave’s mouth, as when one cutteth and cleaveth tvood upon the earth.] And yet this gentleness hath been so far from mollifying their hearts, that they still persecute me, and the small body of men that follow me: (1 Sam. xxvi. 2. xxvii. 1.) whom they have reduced to such extremities, that, like the earth when it is ploughed up, we break in^ pieces; and are ready to disperse and flee for our lives, with little hope of safety. Ver.’ 8. But mine eyes are unto thee, O God the Lord: in thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute.] But in this sore distress I fix my thoughts on thee, O mighty Lord, the governor of all things; in whom I repose an assured confidence, that thou wilt not abandon me to the malice of those that seek to take away my life from me.

Psalms 112:8

His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, nntilhe see his desire upon his enemies. This confidence is the prop and support of his soul; which will not let him be dismayed: but makes him expect the time, when he shall be able securely to look upon all his enemies.

Psalms 112:9

He hath dispersed; he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour. He doth not merely heap up riches for himself; but dispenses them to others, especially to the poor and needy, with a liberal hand: nor is he weary of welldoing, but ever producing some new fruit of his charity, which shall gain him the greatest honour, and raise him to an illustrious degree of power and authority. Keep me from the snare tvhich tltey have laid for me, and the gins of the workers of iniquity.], Preserve me, I beseech thee, from all the subtle plots which they have laid to destroy me: and though they stick at nothing (though never so unjust), and have various arts to blind the world and hide their perfidious designs; suffer me not to be ensnared by them.

Psalms 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. At the sight of which the wicked (who shall not be able to obstruct it) shall be extremely vexed; or rather furiously enraged: he shall pine away with grief, envy, and impatience, to see himself and his companions disappointed in all that they wished; either of good to themselves, or evil to the righteous. Let the wicked fall into their wxrn nets, whilst that I withal escape.] But let all the contrivances of such wicked men prove pernicious to themselves;, and bring upon them the evils which they intended me: whilst I,; and they that are with me, by thy care of us,, escape untouched by any of them.