The content of Psalm 112 is very different from Psalm 111. Psalm 111 praises the Lord for his great works and sure precepts; Psalm 112 blesses the righteous man. Nevertheless, there are three important considerations that demonstrate their close relationship. 1) They are both acrostic according to line rather than verse. Each has twenty-two lines (ignoring the opening hallelujah) beginning with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. 2) Each has three stanzas, the first two of four verses and eight lines and the third of two verses of three lines each. 3) Verses 1a, 3b and 4b are very close replicas. Psalm 112 also repeats many words from Psalm 111. They are companion pieces.
The three stanzas of Psalm 112 form a clear progression. Stanza 1 (vv. 1–4) mentions the righteous man’s wealth, stanzas 2 (vv. 5–8) and 3 (vv. 9–10) what he does with it. Stanza 2 tells us that he lends and stanza 3 that he gives.
Each of the three stanzas has two main parts. Each stanza first describes the righteous man’s character and then his blessings. But stanza 3 has another part (v. 10) of equal length with the first part (v. 9) which describes the wicked man’s curse.
Stanza 1 describes the righteous man as one who fears the Lord and delights greatly in his commandments. His blessings are mighty offspring, blessed generation, wealth, enduring righteousness and light in darkness. Verse 4b is difficult because it could be either about the Lord or the righteous man. The arguments for taking it as a reference to the Lord are two. It is a quotation from Psalm 111:4b which says, “The Lord is gracious and compassionate.” It closes out the first stanza with a look back to the first line which also mentions the Lord. The arguments for taking it as a reference to the righteous man are also two. It seems to flow more naturally from 4a. It also connects directly with verse 5a by the reference to grace. I prefer the first interpretation. If that is correct, this line explains why the righteous man is blessed: not because he deserves it but because the Lord is gracious, compassionate and righteous.
Stanza 2 describes the righteous man as one who is gracious, lends and maintains his affairs with justice. All of these refer to his giving help to those who are in need. They are not in such need that only an outright gift will be sufficient, but they are in enough need that a loan is important. According to the law of God, this loan should be interest free (Ex. 22:25, Lev. 25:35–36, Deut. 23:19). The righteous man will not make the loan a matter of business but an act of kindness.
The blessing of the righteous man who lends will be that the Lord establishes him forever so that he will not be afraid of evil tidings or adversaries. Proverbs 11:24–25 says, “There is one who scatters, yet increases more; And there is one who withholds more than is right, But it leads to poverty. The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself.”
Stanza 3 describes the righteous man as one who disperses abroad and gives to the needy. Here is a greater need than that implied in verse 5. A loan will not be sufficient; giving is necessary. The righteous man is one who gives freely and generously to the poor.
The blessing of the righteous man who gives is enduring righteousness and glory. His enduring righteousness receives special attention in the psalm. It is part of his blessing in both stanzas 1 and 3. Furthermore, by his righteousness he will become a memorial to the righteous grace of God (v. 6b). These three statements are arranged chiastically, with five lines between 3b and 6b, and five lines between 6b and 9b.
In the context of this psalm, the wicked man is one who may be rich but does not lend or give. The righteous man looks on him from his own security in God’s care. The wicked man looks on the righteous with vexation that makes him grind his teeth. He suffers discouragement, and ultimately his desire perishes. His desire is probably the desire to be rich. That desire perishes with himself and his riches in the judgment of God.
The psalm is a strong encouragement to us to be generous with our wealth and to put our trust in the Lord rather than perishing riches.
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