Psalm 112 (111):1Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Moreover, since even demons exhibit fear of the Lord, the notion of fear alone cannot suffice for salvation. Just as he previously asserted that “the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord,” he elaborated by stating, “the mind is good in all who are guided by it,” thereby connecting this reverence with a life aligned to its teachings. Here, after referencing the fear of God, he does not limit his focus solely to the fear that arises from recognizing God’s majesty, which is also present among demons, but he complements it by stating, “he shall love His commandments very much.” These words call for a life marked by earnestness, moral integrity, and purity. He does not merely say, “He shall keep His commandments,” but rather, “shall love,” thereby demanding a deeper commitment. What is that commitment? It involves adhering to them diligently, cultivating a profound love for them, strictly following their guidance, and doing so not for the promised rewards but out of love for the Lawgiver Himself—to embrace virtue joyfully, not out of fear of judgment or punishment, nor from a desire for the kingdom, but for the sake of Him who established these commandments.

In another passage, expressing the delight found in God’s commands, he declares, “How sweet to my throat are Thy words! Sweeter than honey to my mouth” (Psalms 118:103). The Apostle Paul echoes this sentiment, directing that as one once yielded their members to servitude of impurity and lawlessness, they should now offer themselves as instruments of righteousness for holiness (Rom. 6:19). The fervor once devoted to vice—despite the absence of reward and the presence of suffering—should be equally directed towards virtue. Paul clarifies that he frames this in human terms, “I speak according to human reasoning, for the sake of the weakness of your flesh” (v. 19), emphasizing that if individuals do not apply the same fervor to virtue that they did to vice, what valid excuse can they offer?

Hence the prophet proclaims, “his commandments he shall love greatly.” He who rightly fears the Lord eagerly embraces His commandments. Affection for the Lawgiver renders His commands enjoyable, even if they might pose some challenges. I invite you not to judge my analogy, for Paul also used a similar illustration when he noted, “As ye delivered your members into servants to uncleanness and iniquity for works of iniquity, so now deliver your members into servants of righteousness for works of holiness.” Just as a man infatuated with a harlot withstands humiliation and hardship for that unworthy affection, those woes accepted joyfully, so too should the sacred and glorious commandments of God, which impart wisdom and enrich the soul, be embraced with profound joy, facing no challenge in observing them. The challenges do not originate from the commandments themselves but rather from the laziness many exhibit. An earnest seeker will find them not burdensome but liberating.

This is why Christ affirmed, “My yoke is good, and My burden is easy” (Matthew 11:30). To illustrate this point, the laziness of many transforms the simplest tasks into great burdens, whereas, with diligence, even the hardest tasks become manageable. Take the case of the Israelites, who, nourished by manna, grumbled and longed for death; conversely, Paul, despite hunger, found joy amidst his trials. They lamented, “Now our soul is weary; there is nothing but manna in our eyes: are there no sepulchres in Egypt, that thou hast brought us to die in the wilderness?” (Num. 11:6; Ex. 14:11). Yet Paul rejoiced, saying, “I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and make up for the lack in my flesh of the afflictions of Christ for His body” (Col. 1:24). His sufferings included hunger, thirst, and nakedness. “His commandments he shall love greatly.” How is this possible? If we genuinely both fear and love God and grasp the essence of virtue itself, we realize that true virtue embodies its own reward. For instance, when one refrains from adultery or murder, imagine the peace that comes with a clear conscience, free from shame or fear, viewing others openly and without suspicion. The opposite is true for the adulterer, who constantly lives in trepidation and guilt. Such is the experience of the greedy and envious. Yet, the individual free from these vices enjoys the contrary experience.

Let such a person echo the ensuing verses, not primarily with speech, but with the testimony of their life. The ultimate aim of this construction is the sublime realm of wisdom, where the beginning is the reverence of the Lord; thus, let those who receive this exhortation start from that foundation.

"Blessed is the man that fears the Lord: he shall have great joy in his commandments" (Psalm 110:1). The Almighty, who judges with both righteousness and mercy, observes how faithfully one adheres to His commandments; for life on earth is a trial, as Job articulates (Job 7:1). Our true Judge is the Lord (1 Corinthians 4:4). Consequently, He will discern what each individual gains from following His commandments; the one who cherishes the tranquility of this collective edifice will find great delight within them, and they ought not to despair, for there is peace on earth for those of goodwill (Luke 2:14).

Following this, "His seed shall be strong in the earth" (Psalm 111:2). The Apostle confirms that acts of mercy sow the future harvest when he states, "Let us not be discouraged in doing good, for in due season we shall reap" (Galatians 6:9) and adds, "He who sows sparingly will reap sparingly" (2 Corinthians 9:6). What could be more compelling, dear ones, than the fact that not only did Zacchaeus purchase the kingdom of heaven for half of his wealth (Luke 19:8), but also the widow contributed all she had, just two mites (Mark 12:42), and that every participant may share equally? What could be stronger than that this kingdom is deemed a treasure for the wealthy and as simple as a cup of cold water for the destitute? "Glory and riches shall be in his house" (Psalm 110:3), for his abode resides in his heart, which, through God's praise, houses greater wealth with the promise of eternal life than the fleeting comforts found in the lavish palaces of the arrogant, adorned with opulence and the terror of eternal despair. For "His righteousness endures forever; behold His glory, for therein lies His abundance." While the rich may indulge in fine clothing, extravagant feasts pass them by, and their satisfaction evaporates, leaving only a desperate cry for relief (Luke 16:24).

"For the righteous in darkness shall light shine forth" (Psalm 110:4). Justly do the pious direct their thoughts towards their God, wisely choosing His will over their own, devoid of arrogance. They remember their past in darkness and now walk in the light of the Lord (Ephesians 5:8). The Lord God is merciful, compassionate, and just. His mercy brings us joy, yet His justice is awe-inspiring. Fear not, nor lose hope, joyful individual who reveres the Lord and finds pleasure in His commandments; be kind, be merciful, and lend, for the Lord is impartial in His judgments, showing no mercy to those who do not show mercy (James 2:13). But "Sweet is the man who is gracious and lends" (Psalm 111:5); God will not disdain him, for forgiveness will flow to him as he shows kindness. "Forgive," He states, "and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you" (Luke 6:37-38). In forgiving, you receive pardon; in giving, you lend. While helping others in distress is universally called charity, a differentiation exists when one neither expends wealth nor labor but, by forgiving those who wronged them, acquires unrestricted forgiveness for their own transgressions. One who is reluctant to assist the needy seeks riches—heed the words that promise treasure in heaven (Matthew 19:21). In forgiving, one's honor remains intact, for victory over wrath is commendable. You shall not diminish your wealth through generosity; heavenly treasures are a more secure possession, saturating the previous declaration, "Wealth and abundance shall be in his house."

Therefore, one who engages in these good works must frame their words wisely. Their actions will speak on their behalf when they stand before the Judgment, and they will not be met with disfavor, as they have extended favor to others. "He will never be shaken" (Psalm 111:6). Whoever is welcomed to the right hand will hear these words: "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." Only acts of mercy are cited in this setting. Hence, he shall hear, "Come, ye blessed of my Father," for the generation of the upright is blessed. The righteous shall remain in eternal remembrance, free from fear of malice, for "his heart is steadfast, and he believes in the Lord" (Psalm 111:7). He will not fear the reproaches aimed at those on his left: "Go into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matthew 25:34, 41). He who seeks not his own gain but seeks the interests of Christ (Philippians 2:21) patiently endures suffering, faithfully awaiting the promises. He is unshakeable by temptation; his heart is firm, not trembling in the presence of adversaries (Psalm 111:8). His foes long to witness goodness here, and when offered unseen blessings, query, "Who shall show us good?" Therefore, strengthen your hearts and do not yield until you see beyond your adversaries. Their desire is for the visible good in this transient existence; our hope is to witness the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

Yet maintaining a steadfast heart, unshaken by the joy derived from what is seen and withstanding the derision of those who are anchored in the present, is no small feat. The Lord has prepared a profound bounty for those who love Him (1 Corinthians 2:9). Consider how valuable the unseen is; it can be acquired at the highest cost. This is why he concealed his generosity and offered aid to those in need (Psalm 110:9); though unseen, he has purchased worth, storing treasure in heaven while the poor remain hungry and thirsty on earth. It is no surprise that his righteousness will endure eternally; He who fashioned time is its guardian. His honor, once looked down upon by the proud, will be elevated with glory.

The wicked shall observe and be filled with anger (Psalm 111:10): this represents a late and fruitless repentance. Who, if not himself, does he rage against when he laments, “What has become of our pride? What benefit has our wealth brought us?” (Wisdom 5:8). Acknowledging that his honor is elevated by having squandered on the poor, he will gnash his teeth and exhaust himself, for he cannot produce fruit or bloom as he might have if he had repented in time. Yet he will seek repentance only when the desires of the wicked vanish, and there shall be no solace; their desires will fade when all things dissolve like shadows (Wisdom 5:8-9), as flowers wither upon dying grass. But "the word of the Lord abideth forever" (Isaiah 40:8); while it was derided by the empty joys of those wrongly content, so too will it be ridiculed at the downfall of those truly wretched.

The opening line begins with the letter "aleph": "Blessed is the man who fears the Lord." The second line starts with "bet": "To His commandments he strives greatly." The third begins with "gimel": "His seed shall be strong in the earth," continuing on to the twenty-second letter, "tav." With your prayers, let us explore the individual verses. The psalm starts with "Blessed is the man who fears the Lord." It does not say, "Blessed is the husband that loves the Lord." Newlywed husbands should have a reverential fear of Him, while perfect husbands aim to love Him, for "perfect love casteth out fear" (1 John 4:18). Thus, the introduction pertains to the formation of a holy husband.

Let us examine the structure of the psalm. "Blessed is the man who fears the Lord." What does he who trembles before God do? Does he merely hear His word or engage with the law? This is not what the psalmist conveys. Why? "To His commandments he strives greatly." The blessed one who reveres the Lord enthusiastically obeys His commandments. "To His commandments he strives greatly." Notice the psalmist's wording. It does not say, "his commandments he fulfills;" many comply out of fear but gain no reward. One who fears Gehenna and refrains from sinning lacks the recompense that comes from fulfilling the law out of love for God. The one who strives for His commandments—longing to fulfill them—acts like someone parched in the heat of the day, thirsting to obey the Lord's commands. The Lord's commandments are greatly sought after. He does not merely fulfill His commands but earnestly strives for them, not in a fleeting manner but with intense commitment.

Given that the Hebrew alphabet comprises 22 letters and this psalm contains only ten verses, the first eight verses each feature two letters, while the last two verses contain three letters, as noted by Litinus, consistent with our previous observations. This psalm resembles the letters of the Hebrew alphabet because it is oriented towards moral instruction.

According to Theodoret, this psalm serves as a guide in devotion for those who seek it. Others argue that it closely reflects the Apostle Paul's teaching: “piety is profitable for all things; for to it belong the promises of the present and future life” (1 Timothy 4:8). Such promises are indeed presented within this text. Blessed is the man that fears the Lord. In the prior psalm, David observed that the fear of the Lord imparts wisdom: “the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord”; in this psalm, he asserts that the fear of the Lord brings blessings to those who revere Him: “blessed is the man that fears the Lord.” However, this blessing does not apply merely to anyone who fears God, as even demons tremble before Him. Instead, it is directed towards those who fear God and align their lives with His commandments. The fear of God can be passive and devoid of life, yet the fear that inspires adherence to His commandments is vibrant and dynamic.

As articulated by the Great Athanasius, true courage is a virtue of the soul, transcending the boundaries of gender, with all souls, fashioned in the divine image, sharing the same essence. Thus, these words speak not to the physical body but rather to the condition of the soul. Many women, despite being physically weaker, have demonstrated greater courage than their male counterparts, such as Susanna before the judges and Jael against Sisera. In the opening of the Psalms, the Spirit addressing the universal blessedness of believers designates this blessing to men, stating, “Blessed is the husband,” not excluding women from this promise, as it is given to all. Courage, being a unique virtue, is why the term “husband” is used to reflect a shared blessing, as it stems from the essence of bravery.

Eusebius notes that David typically addresses all who turn to God from among the Gentiles, urging reverence for the Lord. In Psalm 134, after mentioning Israel, Aaron, and Levi, he calls upon the Gentiles who fear the Lord. Thus, in this psalm, the blessed are solely those Gentiles who approach God, identified as those who fear the Lord. Therefore, one is not deemed blessed unless they exhibit a profound desire to remain steadfast in His commandments; for even demons possess a fear of God arising solely from knowledge. The true fear of God leads to profound joy in His commandments, indicating a deep-seated desire. David, elsewhere, expresses his love for the Lord's commandments, stating, “And I have lifted up my hands to thy commandments which I love” (Psalms 118:48), and again, “If thy words are sweet to my throat, more than honey are they to my mouth” (Psalms 118:103).

The Goldsmith explains that an intense desire for the commandments emerges when we fear and love God entirely for who He is. When it is said that “His desire is great” in regard to His commandments, it is not merely about fulfilling them, but about a deeper requirement: to fulfill them with passion, aspiring to love them not for the rewards they yield, but for the Lawgiver Himself. The motivation should not stem from avoidance of punishment or the pursuit of a kingdom, but solely from the intent to carry out His commands with fervor. Often, the challenge is not in the tasks themselves but in the lethargy of many; for those who willingly embrace divine precepts find even the most demanding of them to be manageable and light.

Blessed is the man who fears the Lord; in His commandments he takes great delight. These words present the central theme, which the Prophet supports throughout the psalm with various arguments to encourage all toward devotion. He asserts that the blessed individual is one who reverently fears the Lord. However, not every type of fear results in blessedness; thus, he adds that this person will take immense pleasure in fulfilling His commandments. This means the righteous individual not only fears the Lord with a genuine and filial reverence but also diligently strives to obey His commandments. Ultimately, the blessed individual is defined by an inner holy fear of God and a readiness to act in accordance with His laws, making him both righteous and virtuous.

When he faces hardships (symbolized by darkness), the Lord serves as his protector (v.4b). Darkness represents adversity, whereas light symbolizes salvation and happiness (Psalm 96:11, Isaiah 58:7,8, 60ff.); the compassionate Lord rises as a beacon of light in his trials (Isaiah 60:1-3). Therefore, everything aligns favorably for him (good), and he stands firm against his accusers and adversaries (v.5), harboring no fears; his trust in God fortifies him, allowing him to ultimately triumph over all opposition (v.6-8). He gazes with satisfaction and joy upon those who oppose him as they meet their downfall. The horn signifies strength; it flourishes through the challenges posed by foes and emerges victorious, shining in glory. While the righteous man enjoys the fruits of his mercy and virtue, the wicked, consumed by jealousy and wrath, will witness their schemes unravel (v.10).

They should express their gratitude with a joyful heart by diligently singing praises to God, who has delivered them from the captivity of sinful Babylon through the true Messiah, Christ the Lord, the Savior of all humanity. The fear of God leads to virtue and helps one turn away from unholiness, for God is fervent about His law. The Seed of Christ encompasses all the saints, who are steadfast in the realm of the living. The righteous generation consists of those who fulfill the will of God.