Psalm 112 (111):9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

This is far superior to hoarding wealth; to waste in this manner outshines the mere accumulation of riches. Temporal possessions may be squandered, but righteousness is preserved; fleeting things might be lost, but enduring treasures are gained. Farmers behave similarly; they plant seeds not due to uncertainty, for they place their trust in God, wherein nothing is lost. Therefore, when you behold precious gold and hesitate to part with it, remember those who sow, those who lend, and those engaged in trade—they start with expenses yet trust their resources to the uncertain world, as both nature and human debts can often bring loss. Lenders frequently face the risk of losing their principal, but one who invests in heavenly endeavors suffers no such worry, assured of both principal and returns—if we dare to think of the return as far exceeding the initial investment. Here, the principal comprises earthly goods, while the return signifies the kingdom of heaven. Do you recognize the majesty of this loan that yields a far greater interest? This reward awaits in the future, while in the present, you will enjoy peace, free from anxieties, calm amidst the spite of detractors and envious individuals. Your life will be marked by serenity, motivated not by the burdens of the present but by the hope of what is to come. “His might shall be exalted in glory.” What humanity typically craves—fame and recognition—is often showcased by God; the virtuous will inherit both here and there, as no one is as renowned and esteemed as a generous person. Imagine for a moment the contrast between those who squander their wealth on spectacles and a charitable individual; observe the outcomes—one languishes in obscurity after a fleeting moment of praise, while the other earns admiration from all. Even the most shameless and cruel cannot help but acknowledge the virtue of the charitable, while the squanderers face criticism and disdain. In public discourse, the former are often scorned for their wastefulness, while the latter are celebrated and revered, even by the most depraved. Thus, virtue attracts praise from those who may not embody it, whereas vice is abhorred, even by its own practitioners. This is why the profligate receive no commendations from those they entertain, such as harlots, charioteers, and dancers; on the contrary, they attract scorn. In contrast, the compassionate earn not just the thanks of the needy but also the respect and admiration of all, regardless of direct benefit.

If those who cultivate the land willingly expend their resources, joyfully casting seed into the fields and scattering what they have carefully accumulated, all while knowing the fickleness of nature’s elements and the uncertainty of harvests—which may be thwarted by drought, pests, or other calamities—still nurture hope as they commit their stored crops to the soil, how much more urgent is our call to share our resources with those in need? Here, we can be fully assured of a good outcome, devoid of the fears associated with farming. When it is said that the generous “wasted” and “distributed to the poor,” we hear that “his righteousness endureth forever.” Is this not the remarkable aspect of such giving? It may be fleeting in action, but the righteousness that arises from it lasts for eternity. Can there be anything more blessed? Let us then strive to acquire righteousness through our charitable deeds, that it might rightly be said of us, “They wasted, they gave to the poor, and their righteousness endures forever.” This indicates that through the relinquishment of transient wealth, a lasting righteousness remains—one that extends into all eternity and never fades away.

Let them therefore recite the subsequent verses, not merely with their voices but through the testimony of their lives. The fulfillment of this sacred structure will lead to the indescribable realm of wisdom, whose foundation rests in the fear of the Lord; thus, let those who hear this message begin from that point.

Blessed is the one who reveres the Lord, for he will find joy in His commandments as affirmed in Psalm 110:1. God, who is the ultimate judge, both just and merciful, will discern how faithfully we adhere to His commandments; for human existence on earth is a test, as Job 7:1 reflects. Our true Judge remains the Lord (1 Corinthians 4:4). He will observe the benefits that each person obtains through His commandments; those who cherish the peace of this communal building will find immense joy in them and should not despair, for there is peace on earth for those of goodwill, as noted in Luke 2:14.

Next comes the affirmation that "His seed shall be mighty upon the earth," as stated in Psalm 111:2. The Apostle illustrates that acts of mercy are the seeds for a future harvest: "Let us not be weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap" (Galatians 6:9), and again, "He who sows sparingly shall reap sparingly" (2 Corinthians 9:6). Consider, dear friends, that neither Zacchaeus nor the widow, who gave her two mites, were inadequate in their contributions—both secured places in the kingdom of heaven. How remarkable that this same kingdom is invaluable to the affluent and available to the impoverished through even a mere cup of water. "Glory and riches shall be in his house," as expressed in Psalm 110:3. His dwelling is his heart, where he possesses far greater wealth in the praises of God and the hope of eternal life than those who surround themselves with vain luxury, fearing instead the torment of eternal death. For His righteousness endures forever; behold His glory and His riches. Meanwhile, earthly splendor, like purple and fine linen marked by lavish feasts, fades; when such celebrations end, the parched soul cries for just a drop of water, as depicted in Luke 16:24.

For the righteous, light shall shine forth even amidst darkness, as Psalm 110:4 assures. Righteous souls rightly anchor their hearts in God, choosing His will over their own, without prideful assumptions. They remember their past state in darkness, now illuminated in the Lord (Ephesians 5:8). It brings joy to know God’s mercy and compassion, yet is sobering to recognize His justice. Fear not, nor despair, O blessed soul, who reveres the Lord and delights in His commandments; be generous, compassionate, and willing to lend. For the Lord judges justly and will show no mercy to those who have been unmerciful, as articulated in James 2:13. "Sweet is the man who is gracious and lends" (Psalm 111:5); God will favor him, ensuring that his sweetness does not go unnoticed. "Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you" (Luke 6:37-38). You forgive to receive forgiveness; you show mercy to experience mercy yourself, while giving brings forth the same in return. While all charitable acts are indeed valuable, there is a distinction when one forgives rather than expends money or effort, as doing so not only receives absolution but also offers it freely to others. He who refuses to share with the poor seeks riches; reflect on what is written: "You will have treasure in heaven" (Matthew 19:21). Thus, you will not suffer loss by forgiving, for conquering anger is a noble triumph. Your generosity does not diminish you; on the contrary, heavenly wealth is a far more secure inheritance. The previous declaration that "Wealth and abundance shall be in his house" enriches this sentiment.

Therefore, one who acts in accordance with these principles must carefully guide their speech. Their very actions will serve as words that shield them during judgment; they will receive favor because they have shown favor. They will remain unshaken (Psalm 111:6). Those called to the right side shall hear the words, "Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." No works save those of mercy shall be cited there. So he shall hear, "Come, you blessed of my Father," for the generation of the upright will be eternally blessed. Thus, the righteous shall be remembered forever. They will fear no evil tidings; their hearts are steady, trusting in the Lord (Psalm 111:7). They shall not tremble like those on the left, who hear the summons to "depart into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matthew 25:34, 41). Those who do not pursue their own interests but seek the things of Christ endure trials with patience, awaiting the fulfillment of His promises. They remain steadfast against temptation: their hearts are unwavering, untroubled until they witness the downfall of their adversaries (Psalm 111:8). Their enemies wish to witness goodness in this lifetime, yet upon being promised unseen blessings, they query, "Who will show us good?" Therefore, let our hearts strengthen and not waver until we see beyond our adversaries. They yearn to behold the righteous acts of men in a land marked by demise; we aspire to witness the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

It is indeed profound to possess a heart that remains firm and undisturbed while many rejoice in the visible, deriding him who hopes for the unseen—what the Lord has in store for those who cherish Him (1 Corinthians 2:9). The value of the unseen is immeasurable, purchased at the highest cost imaginable. Hence, he who selflessly gives to the impoverished has not truly seen but has, in turn, acquired treasures in heaven, longing to aid those in need. His righteousness will endure eternally, for it is sustained by the Creator of time itself. Although the proud may scorn his humility, ultimately he will receive exaltation.

The wicked shall witness and seethe in anger (Psalm 111:10); this anger signifies a late and fruitless regret. Against whom do they rage, if not against themselves, lamenting, "What has our pride achieved for us?" What have we gained from our material boastfulness? (Wisdom 5:8). Witnessing the honor bestowed upon the one who gave freely yet humbled himself for the sake of others, they will gnash their teeth in despair, for their sorrow echoes the Bible's reminder of the eternal weeping and gnashing of teeth. They will falter, lacking the opportunity to flourish, having missed their chance to repent; such realization dawns when their wicked desires vanish, leaving no comfort. The desires of the wicked will fade along with all that perishes, much like a fleeting shadow (Wisdom 5:8-9), as the flower withers on the grass. However, the word of the Lord endures forever (Isaiah 40:8); what was once scorned by those falsely satisfied shall be derided at the downfall of the truly wretched.

In contrast, energetic effort without a solid belief system resembles attempting to construct an impressive and lofty edifice upon a fragile foundation: the higher it rises, the quicker it will fall, as righteous actions unsupported by faith will not endure. An unsteady mooring in a port can lead to a breach in a ship's hull, and loose soil cannot support the weight of a structure built upon it. The fullness of reward is found where virtues are perfected and there is a harmonious unity of actions and words.

Observe how exquisite are the prophet’s words; he does not merely say "gave" or "divided," but "scattered," which illustrates both the giver’s generosity and likens this act to planting seeds. Sowers distribute their harvest in anticipation of a more significant future yield, where scattering possessions leads to an accumulation of righteousness. Farmers engage in this practice, yet their outcome is uncertain, as only the earth benefits from their sowing. In contrast, when you entrust your seeds to God, nothing is lost. Whoever nurtures heaven as if it were the earth can be reliable in both the realm of resources and its spiritual growth—provided that this growth represents more than mere earthly riches, for true wealth is found in the Kingdom of Heaven.

What a remarkable aspect of this lending! What could be more astounding than the fact that what is hoarded decays, while what is given away flourishes? Great Basil contends that it is indeed peculiar yet profoundly true: wealth that is hoarded diminishes, but what is liberally granted per Christ’s direction not only survives but is rewarded with a bounty beyond measure. The Apostle affirms this principle: “He that soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” Theodoret comments that one who is filled with the reverence of God not only gives to those in need but does so extravagantly, mirroring those who sow seeds not merely in small amounts but with the expectation of a fruitful harvest.

Isychius interprets this in a profound way, suggesting that the "poor" refers to those who yearn for God’s word—namely, the nations into which the Apostles spread the message of salvation, much like farmers planting seeds. "His horn shall be exalted in glory" signifies that the honor of the righteous and compassionate will be magnified. The term "horn" has been elucidated succinctly in Psalm 88:25, where it signifies strength and exaltation through faith in God, enabling victory over adversaries. According to Isychius, the horn represents the trust in God that empowers us to conquer our foes. Although this idea is elevated, its essence may remain unknown to many; thus, true glory shall be revealed in the age to come, showcasing the profound nature of this strength.

Didyma states that God is referred to as a horn because those who are righteous and place their faith in Him proclaim, “By You we will overcome our enemies.” The blessed, having triumphed through the Lord, possess this horn, which enables them to humble the proud. Theodoret elaborates that the horn symbolizes the strength, much like the horns of animals that defend themselves against attackers. Thus, he asserts that the one who is rich in virtue will be formidable and celebrated.

First, in giving up material wealth, he enriches his spiritual truth, preserved by God eternally, with the promise of receiving ample reward in due course: "He who has mercy on the poor, lends to the Lord" (Proverbs 19:17). Secondly, his status will be elevated in glory; this signifies that he will not only be rewarded in the life to come but will also experience an increase in strength in this present age, as “horn” in Holy Scripture symbolizes power and security. Thus, those who practice charity do not diminish their own wealth or status; rather, they enrich themselves in resources, strength, and honor. Numerous examples found in Holy Scripture—as well as in the Lives of the Saints—illustrate this truth, particularly in the accounts of Job and Tobias.

Darkness represents hardship, while light signifies salvation and joy (Psalm 96:11; Isaiah 58:7, 8; 60ff.); in this context, the compassionate Lord rises as light amid the gloom (Isaiah 60:1-3). Consequently, all goes well for him; he stands firm against his accusers and enemies (v.5) and harbors no fear. With his faith anchored in God, he ultimately triumphs over all opposition (vv.6-8), finding delight and joy as he witnesses the downfall of his foes. The horn symbolizes strength; it grows and flourishes through conflict with adversaries, ultimately prevailing in glory. Throughout, the righteous man receives favor for his mercy and virtue, while the wicked, consumed by jealousy and rage, will see all their schemes come to naught (v.10).

Just as Haggai is associated with joy and Zechariah with the remembrance of God, every faithful person who learns divine virtues from this psalm should strive to remember the reverence for God and diligently sing a heartfelt hymn of praise for their deliverance from the bondage of sinful Babylon, achieved through the true Messiah, Christ the Lord, the Savior of all humanity. The fear of the Lord is the path to virtue and serves to turn one away from iniquity; we are to fear God, for He is zealous for His law. The Seed of Christ encompasses all the saints, who are empowered in the realm of the living. The generation of the righteous consists of those who fulfill the will of God.