Psalms 112
Big idea: The mirror of Psalm 111, letter for letter, and the swap is the argument: the phrases used there of God are used here of the person who fears him. His righteousness endures forever — said of Yahweh in 111:3 and of this man in 112:3. What the resemblance actually looks like is verse 9: he has dispersed, he has given to the poor. Paul quotes exactly that line in 2 Corinthians 9 when arguing for generosity. And the most quietly enviable thing in the psalm is verse 7: he will not be afraid of evil news.
Psalm 112 describes a man who lends and gives. Psalm 113 describes the God who lifts people out of the ash heap.
112:1–10 — He will not be afraid of evil news
The twin of Psalm 111 — another twenty-two-line acrostic, deliberately matched — and the pairing is the point. Psalm 111 describes God; this one describes the person who fears him, and several phrases are transferred verbatim. 'His righteousness endures forever' is said of God in 111:3 and of the man here in 112:3. The likeness is being claimed on purpose.
1 Praise Yah! Blessed is the man who fears Yahweh, who delights greatly in his commandments. 2 His offspring will be mighty in the land. The generation of the upright will be blessed. 3 Wealth and riches are in his house. His righteousness endures forever. 4 Light dawns in the darkness for the upright, gracious, merciful, and righteous. 5 It is well with the man who deals graciously and lends. He will maintain his cause in judgment. 6 For he will never be shaken. The righteous will be remembered forever. 7 He will not be afraid of evil news. His heart is steadfast, trusting in Yahweh. 8 His heart is established. He will not be afraid in the end when he sees his adversaries. 9 He has dispersed, he has given to the poor. His righteousness endures forever. His horn will be exalted with honor. 10 The wicked will see it, and be grieved. He shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away. The desire of the wicked will perish.
Scripture text: World English Bible (public domain).