FRAMEWORKS:
Psa 112: The Conditional Blessings of Following the Lord
[Preliminary
Comments: The psalm reveals the blessings [identified
by letters we have inserted in the text] that come to those who
follow the Lord. However there are built into it a number of expectations
of such people, conditions for those blessings that we have identified
by numbers inserted within the text.]
v.1
The foundation for all the blessings that follow
v.1
Praise
the Lord.
Blessed
are those [i] who
fear the Lord,
who [ii]
find great delight in his commands.
v.2
The children of such people will know ongoing blessing & security
v.2
Their
children will be [a] mighty
in the land;
the generation [iii]
of the upright [b] will
be blessed.
v.3
Such trust and obedience will ensure material blessing
v.3
[c] Wealth
and riches are in their houses,
and [d] their
righteousness endures for ever.
v.4
Even in difficulties they will know blessings
v.4
[e] Even
in darkness light dawns [iv] for
the upright,
for those [v]
who are gracious and compassionate
and righteous.
v.5
Those who are generous and concerned with justice, will reap goodness
v.5
[f] Good
will come to those [vi] who
are generous and lend freely,
[vii] who
conduct their affairs with justice.
v.6
Such people will be strong and secure and recalled for ever
v.6
Surely
[viii] the
righteous [g] will never be
shaken;
they [h]
will be remembered for ever.
v.7
Even when bad news comes they trust God will be there for them
v.7
[i] They
will have no fear of bad news;
[ix] their
hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
v.8
In their security in the Lord they will be at peace having triumphed
v.8
[x] Their
hearts are secure, [j] they
will have no fear;
[k] in
the end they will look in triumph on their foes.
v.9
Having blessed others in their giving they will be exalted
v.9
[xi] They
have freely scattered their gifts to the poor,
[l] their
righteousness endures for ever;
[m]
their horn
will be lifted high in honour.
v.10
By contrast the wicked will anguish and die away.
v.10
The
wicked will see and be vexed,
they will gnash their teeth and waste
away;
the longings of the wicked will come
to nothing.
[Additional
Comments: Go back through this powerful psalm and, identifying
the thirteen characteristics of such people as are described,
go on to note the eleven blessings we have identified that they
experience. Surely a blueprint for the ‘good life'. In some cases,
we acknowledge, it is difficult to distinguish between character
trait and blessing and you may therefore wish to change the numbers
of each.]
Continue
to Psa 113