Psalm 112 explained: Portrait of a Good and Generous Person

Who is truly happy (v. 1)

The happy person here is someone who holds the LORD in deep, respectful awe and actually enjoys God's instructions rather than obeying them grudgingly. In Hebrew each line of this psalm begins with the next letter of the alphabet, a carefully built poem that was easy to learn by heart.

A blessed family and home (vv. 2-3)

The poet expects a good person's children and household to thrive, a common hope in ancient Israel that goodness builds strong families over generations. Readers have long asked how this fits with books like Job, which openly admit that good people sometimes lose everything.

Light in hard times (vv. 4-5)

The psalm assumes good people will face dark times, but says light will dawn for them. This person is described as kind, merciful and fair, the same qualities the psalm just before gives to God, and shows it by lending freely and handling business honestly.

A heart that holds steady (vv. 6-8)

Trust in the LORD keeps this person steady, so frightening news does not knock them over, and they will be remembered well. The poem also expects them to see their enemies defeated in the end, a frank hope of being proved right that appears often in the psalms.

Giving to the poor (v. 9)

This person gives generously to the poor, and the psalm says their righteousness, meaning their goodness and right living, will last forever. The "horn" was an ancient picture of strength and dignity, taken from strong animals, so lifting it high means being honored.

The wicked look on (v. 10)

People who do wrong see the good person flourish and react with bitter frustration, grinding their teeth in anger. The psalm ends bluntly, saying their hopes will simply come to nothing.

Key verse: Psalm 112:7

Where Christians differ

Christians differ on whether the psalm's promises of wealth and family success should be expected literally in this life or read as general wisdom and as pointing to lasting, spiritual or future reward.

Something to think about

Have you known someone whose generosity or fairness seemed to give them a kind of steadiness when bad news came, and what do you think was really behind it?