Psalm 112
Blessings of the Righteous
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Intro
Psalm 112 describes the blessings that come to those who fear the Lord and delight in His commandments. In the context of the New Covenant, the blessings promised are ultimately fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies fear of the Lord and obedience to God's commandments.
Section 1: The Blessed Life (Verses 1-3)
"Hallelujah! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in His commandments. His descendants 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."
Harmony
The blessings of those who fear the Lord and delight in His commandments are echoed in Matthew 5:3-12, the Beatitudes, where Jesus describes the blessings of the kingdom of God.
Talking Points:
The blessings bestowed upon those who fear the Lord and delight in His commandments.
The promise of a mighty and blessed generation for the upright.
The assurance of enduring righteousness along with wealth and riches.
Questions:
How does fearing the Lord and delighting in His commandments influence our lives?
What does it mean for our offspring to be mighty in the land?
How do we reconcile the promise of wealth and riches with the call to be not of this world?
Section 2: Light in Darkness (Verses 4-6)
"Light dawns in the darkness for the upright— for the gracious, compassionate, and righteous. It is well with the man who is generous and lends freely, whose affairs are guided by justice. Surely he will never be shaken; the righteous man will be remembered forever."
Harmony
The theme of light in darkness is embodied in Jesus Christ, as He is described as the light of the world in John 8:12.
Talking Points:
The promise of light in darkness for the upright, gracious, merciful, and righteous.
The blessed state of those who are generous and just in their dealings.
The enduring stability and eternal memory promised to the righteous.
Questions:
How does the promise of light in darkness provide hope in difficult times?
How can we cultivate a spirit of generosity and justice in our daily affairs?
What does it mean for the righteous to never be moved and to be remembered forever?
Section 3: Overcoming Fear (Verses 7-10)
"He does not fear bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. His heart is assured; he does not fear, until he looks in triumph on his foes. He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn will be lifted high in honor. The wicked man will see and be grieved; he will gnash his teeth and waste away; the desires of the wicked will perish."
Harmony
The theme of trust and overcoming fear is prevalent in the teachings of Jesus, as He tells His followers to not be afraid in John 14:27.
Talking Points:
The firmness and steadiness of heart resulting from trust in the Lord.
The triumphant outlook on adversaries, generosity towards the poor, and enduring righteousness of the blessed man.
The contrasting reactions of the wicked man, leading ultimately to his downfall.
Questions:
How does trust in the Lord help us overcome fear?
How can we develop a triumphant outlook on adversity in our lives?
What steps can we take to be more generous towards the poor and needy?
Summary
Psalm 112:1-10 beautifully paints a picture of the blessed life for those who fear the Lord and delight in His commandments.
This psalm holds its fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ, who embodies these characteristics and teachings perfectly, as highlighted in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12) and His own declarations about being the light in the darkness (John 8:12).
Through the lens of the New Covenant, this Psalm encourages us to fear God, live righteously, be generous, and trust in the Lord, thus leading us to experience the blessings of God in our lives.