It is well with the man who deals generously and lends; who conducts his affairs with justice.
English Standard Version (ESV)
While the verse speaks of generosity and lending, its core emphasizes that the righteous person manages their entire life with fairness and integrity. This isn't just about giving or lending; it’s about conducting all their affairs, big or small, with a commitment to justice that reflects their heart.
It is well with the man who deals generously and lends; who conducts his affairs with justice.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse is part of a larger psalm celebrating the blessedness of the righteous, who are contrasted with the wicked. Following the description of light arising for the upright in darkness, verse 5 elaborates on how the righteous person lives out their faith practically, by showing kindness and generosity to others. The psalm then continues by detailing the stability, security, and lasting legacy of such a person, emphasizing their trust in God.
What does it mean to truly 'give' and 'lend' in a way that honors God?
The verse opens with a powerful image: 'It is well with the man who deals generously and lends.' This isn't just about charity; it's about a lifestyle rooted in kindness and provision.
Showing Favor
The phrase 'deals generously' (or 'showeth favor') points to an active kindness, a grace extended to others. It's about recognizing the needs around us and responding with a willing heart and open hands. This isn't a forced duty, but a natural outflow of a life connected to God.
The Act of Lending
'And lends' highlights a specific, practical form of generosity. It means entrusting resources to someone in need, with the expectation of return but also with compassion. This act strengthens community and reflects God's own provision for us. It’s about partnering with others in their struggles, not exploiting them.
How do our daily dealings, big or small, reflect our walk with God?
The second part of the verse shifts focus to how this generous person manages their life: 'who conducts his affairs with justice.' This isn't a separate, unrelated trait; it's intrinsically linked to the generosity mentioned before.
Equity in Action
'Conducts his affairs with justice' (or 'with discretion'/'equity'/'rectitude') speaks to integrity in all dealings. It means managing one's business, finances, and relationships with fairness, honesty, and a deep sense of rightness. This isn't about legalism, but about a heart that desires to do what is right in God's eyes.
Ask a follow-up
A Unified Life
This justice isn't just for public show; it permeates private life, business transactions, and every aspect of a person's conduct. It means not taking advantage of others, acting with prudence, and demonstrating that true prosperity comes from a life lived in alignment with divine principles.
Understand the original words
mishpat · Hebrew Noun
The quality of acting according to ethical standards, truth, and impartiality; it involves rendering to others what is due and acting fairly in all relationships.
This passage directly commands generosity and lending to those in need, echoing the call in Psalms 112:5 to show favor and lend, emphasizing that such actions stem from God's blessing.
Proverbs 3:9-10It promises material blessing and abundance to those who honor the Lord with their possessions and offer their firstfruits, mirroring the idea in Psalms 112:5 that righteous dealings bring prosperity and stability.
Luke 6:34-35Jesus teaches to lend without expecting anything in return ('lend, expecting nothing in return'), directly aligning with the generous and just spirit described in Psalms 112:5 and promising a great reward.
Matthew 25:14-30The parable of the talents highlights the importance of managing resources wisely and productively, a concept similar to 'guiding his affairs with discretion' in Psalms 112:5, where faithfulness in stewardship leads to greater responsibility and reward.
1 Timothy 6:17-19This passage instructs the wealthy to be generous and ready to share, storing up a good foundation for the future, which connects to Psalms 112:5's emphasis on liberality and sound management as foundational for a blessed life.
pulpitPsalms 112:5: "A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion."
Verse 5. - A good man showeth favor, and lendeth; rather, well is it with the man that showeth, etc. The verse is exegetical of the latter clause of ver. 4, and shows how the righteous man's compassion works. It makes him "show favor," or "kindness," to men generally, and "lend" to those who are in necessity (comp. Psalm 37:26; and for the duty of lending to the needy, see Deuteronomy 15:8, 11). H…
ellicottPsalms 112:5: "A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion."
(5) A good man. —Rather, happy is the man who gives and lends, good being here not used in a moral sense, but meaning prosperous. He will guide . . .—Rather, he will gain his cause: in (the) judgment. So apparently the LXX. and Vulg. Others, “he will sustain his affairs by justice.” The verb primarily means “to measure,” but in the conjugation here used has the sense of “sustains.” (See Genesis 45…
While the verse speaks of generosity and lending, its core emphasizes that the righteous person manages their entire life with fairness and integrity. This isn't just about giving or lending; it’s about conducting all their affairs, big or small, with a commitment to justice that reflects their heart.
This verse is part of a larger psalm celebrating the blessedness of the righteous, who are contrasted with the wicked. Following the description of light arising for the upright in darkness, verse 5 elaborates on how the righteous person lives out their faith practically, by showing kindness and generosity to others. The psalm then continues by detailing the stability, security, and lasting legacy of such a person, emphasizing their trust in God.
This verse is part of a larger psalm celebrating the blessedness of the righteous, who are contrasted with the wicked. Following the description of light arising for the upright in darkness, verse 5 elaborates on how the righteous person lives out their faith practically, by showing kindness and generosity to others. The psalm then continues by detailing the stability, security, and lasting legacy of such a person, emphasizing their trust in God.
"It is well with the man who deals generously and lends; who conducts his affairs with justice." — While the verse speaks of generosity and lending, its core emphasizes that the righteous person manages their entire life with fairness and integrity. This isn't just about giving or lending; it’s…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026