Psalm 112 (111):7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

If traders, after bringing home a substantial cargo, eagerly check on their valuables daily, how much more will one whose treasures are laid up in heaven desire to remain focused on the eternal rather than the temporal? Thus, nothing can instill fear in him.

Such a person should recite the subsequent verses, not merely with their tongue, but with the essence of their life. The fulfillment of this building will be an ineffable realm of wisdom, the beginning of which is the fear of the Lord; thus, let him who is uplifted by this message commence from that point.

Blessed is the one who reveres the Lord; they will find great delight in His commandments. Psalm 110:1 God, who alone judges both justly and mercifully, observes how faithfully one adheres to His commandments, for human existence on earth is a trial, as stated by Job 7:1. Yet, our Judge is none other than the Lord. 1 Corinthians 4:4 He will evaluate the benefit that each person derives from His commandments; but those who cherish the harmony of this communal building will find great joy within them, and they need not lose heart, for peace on earth is given to the faithful. Luke 2:14

Following this, it is said: His offspring shall be mighty upon the earth. Psalm 111:2 The Apostle illustrates that acts of kindness are the seeds for future harvests, declaring: "Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season, we will reap." Galatians 6:9 He further states: "He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly." 2 Corinthians 9:6 What could be more compelling than the fact that not only did Zacchaeus acquire the kingdom of heaven by giving half of his wealth, Luke 19:8 but also that the widow contributed only two small coins, Mark 12:42, and yet all receive equal access to it? How profound it is that the same kingdom can be valued as precious by the affluent and as simple as a cup of cold water by the destitute! Glory and riches shall dwell in his home. Psalm 110:3 His dwelling is his heart, where, with God's praise, he possesses greater treasures in the hope of eternal life than those seeking mere flattery amidst grand marble palaces and ostentatious decor, fearful of eternal death. His righteousness lasts forever; behold His glory, those are His riches. The lavishness of the wealthy is fleeting, for when grand feasts occur, they eventually conclude, leaving only the desperate cry of a parched tongue seeking a drop of water from the tip of a finger. Luke 16:24

For the righteous, light shall shine in darkness. Psalm 110:4 The faithful rightly turn their hearts toward their God; they walk with Him, choosing His will over their own, devoid of haughty arrogance. They remember their time in darkness and recognize they now walk in the light of the Lord. Ephesians 5:8 The Lord God is full of mercy, compassion, and justice. Rejoice in His mercy and compassion, but it may be daunting to grasp His justice. Fear not, blessed one who reveres the Lord and takes pleasure in His commandments; be generous, be compassionate, and lend, for the Lord judges justly and without mercy toward those who show no mercy. James 2:13 Yet, how sweet is the one who is gracious and lends. Psalm 111:5 God will not reject him, as though he were unworthy. "Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you." Luke 6:37-38 You forgive to receive forgiveness; you are merciful while you give to be given to, you lend. Though all assistance provided to those in distress is called charity, there is a distinction in forgiving those who have wronged you, as this grants you the freedom from your own sins as well. He who is reluctant to aid the poor pursues riches; heed what is said: "You will have treasure in heaven." Matthew 19:21 In forgiving, you do not diminish your standing; conquering anger is a commendable triumph. You shall not suffer loss by giving, for treasures in heaven are a secure legacy. The prior affirmation that "wealth and abundance shall be in his house" resonates throughout this verse.

Therefore, he who practices these virtues must weigh his words carefully. His actions are the testament by which he will find safety during Judgment, favor will not escape him, as he himself has shown grace. He shall never be moved. Psalm 111:6 Those called to the right hand will hear these words: "Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." Here, only acts of mercy are remembered. Thus, he shall hear, "Come, you blessed of my Father," for the generation of the upright shall be celebrated. The righteous will endure in everlasting remembrance, untroubled by ominous news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Psalm 111:7 Such will be the words addressed to those on his left: "Depart into eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels." Matthew 25:34, 41 Those who do not seek their own interests here but the interests of Jesus Christ, Philippians 2:21 patiently endure suffering and wait in faith for His promises. They are unbroken by temptation; their hearts are resolute and will not quake until they see their enemies thwarted. Psalms 111:8 Their adversaries yearned for visible good, and when assured of unseen blessings, they lamented, "Who will show us good?" Therefore, let our hearts grow strong and not lose hope until we perceive beyond our foes. Their design is to witness the good deeds of mortals in this transitory world; we await the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

Yet, possessing a steadfast heart that remains unyielded is a remarkable thing, especially when others revel in what they can see, ridiculing those who hope for the unseen, for what the Lord has prepared for those who love Him. 1 Corinthians 2:9 How precious is the value of what is not visible, and that it is purchased by the highest price anyone can offer. For this reason, he discreetly shared and provided for the needy, Psalms 110:9 he has not seen but has acquired treasure in heaven. He who has left the hungry and thirsty poor on this earth will find his righteousness enduring forever, for He who created the ages is its guardian. The horn of humility, scorned by the proud, shall rise in honor.

The wicked shall see and be filled with anger. Psalm 111:10 This represents belated and fruitless regret. Against whom is their wrath directed but themselves when they lament: "Where has our pride gotten us?" What benefit has our boastfulness and riches provided? Wisdom 5:8 Given that their honor has been exalted, they will grind their teeth in frustration, lamenting, for there will be sorrow and grinding of teeth. They will no longer bear fruit or blossom as they could have if they had repented sooner, but they will only turn when the desires of the wicked have vanished, and there shall be no solace. These very longings will fade when all things dissolve like a shadow, Wisdom 5:8-9 and when flowers succumb on parched grass. Yet the word of the Lord, which endures forever, Isaiah 40:8, shall not yield to the mockery of the falsely joyful but will undoubtedly be ridiculed in the ruin of those genuinely wretched.

Therefore, those who are righteous and merciful need not fear those who can merely end physical life, as they lack the power to harm the soul. Theodoret notes that such individuals will attain glory and be renowned by all; their memory will endure due to their virtues, not just in life but also after death. Chrysostom poses the question of how someone who faces adversity in life becomes a guide of grace even after death. God demonstrates this by ensuring that even those who may lack faith know that their virtues are eternal in heaven. After the burial of the body, their memory continues to thrive everywhere; the influence of virtue transcends time and does not diminish despite the passing of days, contributing to the salvation of many. Unlike the wicked, who are bound by their vices, the virtuous are free from the praise of others, though such praise can uplift and lead the unfaithful away from their wrongdoing. Isychius remarks that the memories of wealthy individuals or kings are fleeting, unlike the lasting legacy of the righteous. Pachimer, reflecting on Dionysius the Areopagite, speaks of how we not only commemorate the saints but also present them to God for remembrance. When the prophets speak of being remembered before the Lord, it should not suggest that God's memory is rekindled as ours often is; instead, God's remembrance signifies His profound knowledge of those whose lives reflect virtue, transforming them to become godlike and honored through an everlasting recognition. Athanasius states that the fears associated with punishment have no place among the saints. Isychius asserts that whether discussing death, family, or loss of possessions, the merciful will not fear any of these threats. This is illustrated by Job, who proclaimed amidst his trials, “Naked I came out of my mother’s womb, and naked I shall go away.”

When adversity strikes (the darkness), the Lord serves as his support (v.4b). Darkness symbolizes misfortune, while light represents salvation and joy (Psalm 96:11, Isaiah 58:7,8, 60ff.); the merciful Lord rises like a beacon in the dark (Isaiah 60:1-3). Consequently, all things operate in his favor (good), and he remains unshaken by his accusers and foes (v.5), living in fearless trust in God, ultimately conquering all adversities (v.6-8). He gazes with satisfaction and happiness at the downfall of his foes. The horn signifies strength; it flourishes and is perfected through the struggle against enemies, outshining them with glorious victory. While all circumstances favor the righteous due to his compassion and moral goodness, the wicked, consumed by jealousy and wrath, will witness their schemes unravel (v.10).

This praise acknowledges their salvation from the bondage of sinful Babylon, through the true Messiah, Christ the Lord, the Savior of all humanity. The fear of the Lord leads to virtue and helps one turn away from wickedness; reverence Him as He is zealous for the law. The lineage of Christ encompasses all the saints, who stand strong among the living, and the generation of the righteous refers to those who fulfill the divine will.