Psalms 112 · The Lantern

The Blessed Fear of the LORD

Praise the LORD! Happy is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commandments.

I have heard about the death of the blessed Theodorus, and the news caused me great anxiety, knowing as I did his value to you. Now if it had not been Theodorus, I would have spoken to you at greater length, with tears, considering what follows after death.

Blessed is the man who fears the Lord. It is the beginning of the psalm: it does not yet say, Blessed is the man who loves the Lord. For to fear belongs to men who are beginning, but to love belongs to the perfect: since 'perfect love casts out fear.' Therefore he speaks of the beginning, that is, of a holy man who is just starting out.

And again, in another place, he [David] ascribeth blessedness to the man who feareth God, and he maketh known what good things the fear of God worketh in him that feareth [Him], saying, "Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord", and here the fearer of God is accounted blessed.

His seed will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.

Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness stands forever.

Light dawns in the darkness for the upright — gracious and compassionate and righteous.

Unto the upright of heart a light has risen in the darkness. We were once in darkness, we were sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death: but a light has arisen for us, according to Isaiah. Merciful and compassionate and righteous. See the two things he says, Merciful and righteous. If you are a sinner, do not despair of pardon: He is merciful.

"Unto the right-hearted there arises up light in the darkness" [Psalm 112:4]. Justly do the godly direct their heart unto their God, justly do they walk with their God, preferring His will to themselves; and having no proud presumption in their own. For they remember that they were some time in darkness, but are now light in the Lord.

"Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the brightness of God shone around them." What does it mean that, as the angel was appearing to the shepherds, the splendor of divine brightness also enclosed them, something that we have never discovered in the whole course of the Old Testament?

Good is the man who is gracious and lends, who sustains his affairs with judgment.

For he will never be shaken; the righteous will be for an everlasting remembrance.

He will not fear bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.

His heart is upheld; he will not fear, until he looks on his foes.

He has scattered, he has given to the needy; his righteousness stands forever; his horn will be lifted up in glory.

But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

There are many people even today who in imitation of them want to be remembered for such achievements, by building splendid homes, baths, porches and avenues.

For our part, beloved brothers, when we recognize our kind Redeemer and reflect on our price, let us not love "the world or the things that are in the world"; but according to the apostle, "having food and sufficient clothing, with these let us be content." Let us seek the use of what is necessary but not have greedy desires.

The wicked will see and be angry; he will gnash his teeth and melt away; the craving of the wicked will perish.

Psalms112

The Blessed Fear of the LORD