Psalms 112:1-3
Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commandments! His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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What makes someone truly blessed isn't just fearing God, but greatly delighting in his commands, suggesting obedience flows not from obligation but from a deep, joyful embrace of God's ways. This delight transforms following God's instructions from a chore into a genuine pleasure, setting the truly blessed apart.
This psalm is a direct continuation of the previous one, which concluded by stating that the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. Psalm 112 opens by elaborating on this, declaring the profound blessedness of those who truly fear God and find delight in obeying His commands, contrasting their lives with those who disregard Him.
What does it really mean to 'fear the Lord'? Is it about being scared or something deeper?
This verse reveals it's not just about avoiding sin, but embracing God's way with joy.
Not Just Awe, But Affection
The phrase 'fears the LORD' might sound like constant anxiety, but in the Bible, it’s a profound respect and awe that leads to devotion.
It's a recognition of God's supreme power, holiness, and goodness. This deep respect isn't meant to paralyze us with fear, but to guide our lives.
The Joyful Obedience of the Heart
But there’s a second, crucial part: 'delights greatly in his commandments.' This isn't a forced, reluctant obedience. It’s born from a heart that finds pleasure in God’s will.
Think of it like a passionate musician who doesn't just play the notes, but loves the music. True fear of God blossoms into a deep enjoyment of living according to His wisdom. This delight is the outward sign of genuine inward respect.
The psalm opens with 'Blessed is the man...' Why is this particular man called blessed?
This verse sets the stage, defining the starting point for a life that is truly flourishing in God's eyes.
True Happiness Defined
This isn't just about fleeting good feelings or worldly success. The 'blessedness' here points to a deep, abiding well-being and favor with God.
It’s the opposite of the illusion that happiness comes from chasing worldly gains or ignoring God's ways, a deception the world often promotes. The prophet is countering the idea that living wickedly brings true advantage.
A Foundation for Everything Else
This fear and delight in God's commands is the bedrock upon which a truly blessed life is built. It’s the essential first step that leads to all other positive outcomes the psalm will later describe, like security and prosperity.
Understand the original words
halelu-yah · Hebrew Interjection
A Hebrew exclamation of joy and adoration directed toward God, signifying an imperative for God's people to acknowledge His greatness and character.
ashrei · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
A state of deep happiness or spiritual well-being resulting from God’s favor; it implies a divinely bestowed condition of being fortunate and favored.
yare' · Hebrew Verb
A reverent, awe-filled submission to God that recognizes His holiness, power, and authority; it is the beginning of wisdom and the basis for holy living.
chaphets · Hebrew Verb
A profound sense of joy or pleasure taken in something, specifically here in the revelation of God's will and moral standards.
This verse directly echoes Psalm 112:1 by stating that the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge, highlighting the foundational importance of reverence for God in a blessed life.
John 14:15Jesus said, 'If you love me, you will keep my commandments.' This passage illuminates the connection in Psalm 112:1 between fearing the Lord and delighting in His commandments, showing that true love for God naturally leads to joyful obedience.
Romans 7:22Paul describes delighting in God's law according to the inner self. This provides a New Testament perspective on the 'delight greatly in his commandments' from Psalm 112:1, showing that this internal joy in God's ways is a mark of a true believer.
Psalm 1:1-2This psalm describes the blessedness of the one who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked but has his delight in the law of the LORD. It parallels Psalm 112:1 by defining blessedness through a similar focus on delighting in God's law and separating from ungodly ways.
1 John 5:3This verse states that loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome. This supports the sentiment in Psalm 112:1 that a genuine fear and love for God makes His commands a source of delight, not a heavy obligation.
pulpitPsalms 112:1: "Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments."
Verse 1. - Praise ye the Lord. Again a "heading," or "introduction" (see the comment on Psalm 111:1). Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord. Connect this with Psalm 111:10. The closing thought of Psalm 111. is taken up and expanded in Psalm 112. That delighteth greatly in his commandments (comp. Psalm 1:2; Psalm 119:16, 17, 24, 70, 77, etc.). "True obedience can only com…
poolePsalms 112:1: "Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments."
THE ARGUMENT This Psalm containeth a description of a good man’s gracious disposition and carriage; as also of his blessed condition, even in this life as well as in the next. The blessedness of them that fear the Lord in this life, and in that to come, Psalm 112:1-9 ; for which the wicked envy them, and are grieved, Psalm 112:10 . The fear of God, as it is man’s only wisdo…
What makes someone truly blessed isn't just fearing God, but greatly delighting in his commands, suggesting obedience flows not from obligation but from a deep, joyful embrace of God's ways. This delight transforms following God's instructions from a chore into a genuine pleasure, setting the truly blessed apart.
This psalm is a direct continuation of the previous one, which concluded by stating that the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. Psalm 112 opens by elaborating on this, declaring the profound blessedness of those who truly fear God and find delight in obeying His commands, contrasting their lives with those who disregard Him.
This psalm is a direct continuation of the previous one, which concluded by stating that the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. Psalm 112 opens by elaborating on this, declaring the profound blessedness of those who truly fear God and find delight in obeying His commands, contrasting their lives with those who disregard Him.
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It's a recognition that our ultimate good is found not in our own scheming, but in aligning our lives with our Creator's perfect will.
mitsvah · Hebrew Noun
Divine instructions, laws, or ordinances given by God to govern the life, conduct, and worship of His people.
zera' · Hebrew Noun
Descendants or children; often used in the Bible to signify the legacy and future generations of a person.
yashar · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
Those who are morally upright, straight, and honest; they walk in accordance with God's law and maintain integrity in their conduct.
tsedaqah · Hebrew Noun
Right conduct or virtue that aligns with God's character and standard; it includes both a legal standing before God and the practical, outward manifestation of godly living.
"Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commandments! His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in his hou…" — What makes someone truly blessed isn't just fearing God, but greatly delighting in his commands, suggesting obedience flows not from obligation but from a deep, joyful embrace of God's ways. This d…
