The Elliott Institute 
"Building Better Lives Through Better Living"
Dr. Larry E. Elliott, Director
How to Live Successfully
How to Live Successfully
Psalm 112
Dr. Larry E. Elliott
The Psalms are unique. A cursory reading of the Psalms leads a person to think all Psalms are alike. However, each Psalm possesses unique characteristics which reveal the composer's deep spiritual relationship with God. Psalm 111 and Psalm 112 are unique. They belong to 34 Psalms which have no superscription and 9 Psalms which are "acrostic" Psalms. What is an "acrostic" Psalm? Each verse in the Psalm begins with a letter of the 22 letter Hebrew Alphabet. Most "acrostic" Psalms have 22 verses. Yet, Psalm 111 and 112 only have 10 verses. Psalm 119 with 176 verses is an "acrostic" Psalm. Each letter of the Hebrew Alphabet has 8 verses in Psalm 119.
Psalm 112 is classified as "a Psalm of wisdom" and describes "the righteous man". Within the Psalm we find words of wisdom, which guarantee successful living for those who become "a righteous man". The Psalmist begins by praising the Lord, singing hallelujah! The righteous man has many reasons to praise the Lord and rejoice in his intimate relationship with God. "Blessed is the man" reflects an inward joy only given by God - complete joy and contentment.
How do you describe a righteous man? In verse 1 a righteous man "fears the Lord". The word "fear" describes a person whose desire is always to please God rather than to displease him. Realizing God is a just God, the righteous man lives his life to glorify his father in heaven. The word also means "awe" and "reverence". The righteous man respects God's holiness. God is "holy other", the omnipotent God, God of all creation. He stands in awe and reverence before His throne and his life reflects the holiness of God.
The righteous man "delights in his commands". Some people do not like to be commanded to do anything. They rebel against authority. Yet, God commands us to live according to his Word like he commanded the Israelites to live according to the 10 Commandments. The Psalmist says the righteous man delights in following God's commands and living his life according to the dictates of God. Therefore, his greatest joy is in living a righteous life.
As a result of righteous living, a righteous man's children will be blessed. The influence of the righteous man's life will permeate the lives of his children and they will live righteous lives. He will leave a spiritual legacy which will be felt for many generations.
In verse 3 the Psalmist speaks of "wealth and riches" in the house of the righteous man. Is he speaking of material wealth? As a result of the way the righteous man lives, others see how he lives and are willing to place him in positions of responsibility, which may bring him wealth. But, the Psalmist greatest emphasis is on spiritual wealth. The righteous man is far more wealthy spiritually. Whereas material wealth disintegrates with time, spiritual wealth is eternal.
Verse 4 paints a beautiful picture. In the midst of the darkness of the world (sin), a pitch darkness caused by the unrighteous life, enters the glory of God, which dispels the darkness. A new day dawns when God's glory replaces the darkness of life. The unrighteous life is transformed to the righteous life by the glory of God. As a result, the righteous man reflects in his life God' characteristics of grace and compassion. Jesus said, "I am the light of the world".
Only good will come to the righteous man because of his grace and compassion. He sees the poor and needy and generously gives of his possessions to help them. As he conducts business, he treats people fairly and maintains Godly integrity. Verse 6 says, "he will never be shaken". He stands on a firm foundation, "the Rock of our salvation". Even when he receives bad news, he has no fear because his "his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. His heart is secure". He need not fear his foes. God will right all wrongs "in the end".
The righteousness of the righteous man endures forever. His strength is in the Lord God, whom he will honor today and into eternity!
In verse 10 the Psalmist concludes by contrasting the righteous man and the wicked man. The wicked man will see the righteous man and how he lives, but never understand God's ways. The wicked man will be vexed and waste away. Verse 6 in Psalm 1 says, "For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish".
Want a successful life? Decide to become "a righteous man" and live accordingly.
Copyright 2009 The Elliott Institute. All rights reserved.
