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The Blessed Fear of the LORD
Psalm 112 is a praise song about the person who fears Yahweh. In poetic lines, it describes delight in his commandments, lasting righteousness, a steady heart, generous giving, and the different end of the wicked.
Understanding the passage
Read these words in context
The psalm opens with “Praise Yah!” and then describes the blessed person who fears Yahweh. Its lines speak of offspring, house, light in darkness, lending, trust, giving to the poor, and the grief of the wicked. These images should be read as poetry and song.
Psalms 112:1–10Main takeaway
Psalm 112 presents the fear of Yahweh as delighted obedience, steadfast trust, and generous righteousness that endures.
Explore the poem and its images
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Blessed in fearing YahwehThe psalm begins with praise, then names the blessed person as one who fears Yahweh and delights greatly in his commandments.
Explanation
The psalm begins with praise, then names the blessed person as one who fears Yahweh and delights greatly in his commandments. In this poem, fear of Yahweh is closely linked with glad obedience. The rest of the psalm unfolds the shape of that blessed life.
02Blessing and enduring righteousnessThe next lines speak of blessing in family and household terms: offspring will be mighty in the land, and wealth and riches are in his house.
Explanation
The next lines speak of blessing in family and household terms: offspring will be mighty in the land, and wealth and riches are in his house. Yet the poem also stresses something lasting: “His righteousness endures forever,” a line repeated later in the psalm.
03Light, mercy, and a steady heartFor the upright, light dawns in darkness, and the upright are described as gracious, merciful, and righteous.
Explanation
For the upright, light dawns in darkness, and the upright are described as gracious, merciful, and righteous. The poem adds practical actions: dealing graciously, lending, and maintaining his cause in judgment. This person is also not afraid of evil news because his heart is steadfast, trusting in Yahweh.
04Giving to the poor and the end of the wickedThe righteous person gives to the poor, and again the psalm says his righteousness endures forever.
Explanation
The righteous person gives to the poor, and again the psalm says his righteousness endures forever. Honour is pictured in the line about his horn being exalted. By contrast, the wicked are grieved, gnash their teeth, melt away, and their desire perishes.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What two descriptions are joined together in the first verse?
Notice that the blessed person both fears Yahweh and delights greatly in his commandments.
02Which repeated line shows what lasts in this psalm?
Find the exact words that appear in both verse 3 and verse 9.
03Why is this person not afraid of evil news?
Verse 7 gives the reason directly, and verse 8 repeats the firmness of the heart.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Psalms 112:1–10
1Praise Yah! Blessed is the man who fears Yahweh, who delights greatly in his commandments.
2His offspring will be mighty in the land. The generation of the upright will be blessed.
3Wealth and riches are in his house. His righteousness endures forever.
4Light dawns in the darkness for the upright, gracious, merciful, and righteous.
5It is well with the man who deals graciously and lends. He will maintain his cause in judgment.
6For he will never be shaken. The righteous will be remembered forever.
7He will not be afraid of evil news. His heart is steadfast, trusting in Yahweh.
8His heart is established. He will not be afraid in the end when he sees his adversaries.
9He has dispersed, he has given to the poor. His righteousness endures forever. His horn will be exalted with honor.
10The wicked will see it, and be grieved. He shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away. The desire of the wicked will perish.