A Brief Explication of the Last Fifty Psalms, Psalm 112
PSALM CXII.
Ver. 1. PRaise ye the LORD, Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD: that delighteth greatly in his Commandments.
THis Psalme is a praising of God for blessing of the beleevers, and the whole Psalme doth prove that the beleever is blessed, which Proposition is set down, v. 1. and confirmed with so many reasons as there are verses following. Whence learn, 1. Albeit in singing of some certain Psalm or part thereof, there be nothing directly spoken of the Lord, or to the Lord, yet he is praised when his truth is our song, or when his works and doctrine is our song, as here it is said; Praise ye the Lord. And thereafter the blessedness of the believer taketh up all the Psalme. 2. It is the Lords praise, that his servants are the only blessed people in the world: Praise ye the Lord: why? because, Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord. 3. He is not the blessed man who is most ob…ervant to catch all opportunities to have pleasure, profit and worldly preferment, and careth not how he cometh by them: but he is the blessed man, who is most observant of Gods will, and careful to follow it; Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord. 4. As there is matter of great delight and contentment in Gods Word, unto all them who feare God: so the true mark of a sound believer and fearer of God, is delighting to know, beleeve and obey Gods Word, for so he describeth the man that feareth God: He delighteth greatly in his Commandments.
Ver. 2. His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.
The first proof of the believers blessednesse, is the blessing of his children, (if God shall see it good to give him sons and daughters of his body,) or the blessing of those that do by his teaching and example follow the footsteps of his faith and obedience. Whence learn, 1 Albeit we are bound to serve God, whether he give unto us benefits or not; albeit our service at the best be but a very weak endeavour, and many wayes tainted: and albeit we be unprofitable servants, presupposing we could so serve, as we should give perfect obedience, and do all that is commanded; yet it pleaseth God to allure us unto his service, by propounding rewards and encouragements unto us, as in this Psalme we see. 2. The best way to bring a blessing on our children and posterity, is to feare God, by our instruction and example to teach them to follow us in the Lords fear; For their seed shal be mighty upon earth, even Kings and Priests unto God, whatsoever shall be their worldly portion. 3. Albeit few do believe, yet is it true, that upright dealing hath better fruits then wittie projecting and cunning catching: The generation of the upright shall be blessed.
Ver. 3. Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousnesse endureth for ever.
The second proof of the believers felicity, is the blessing of him in his outward estate. Whence learn, 1. Whether God shall give more or lesse to the upright man, one way or other it shall be more useful to him then all the wealth of the wicked can be to them: Wealth and riches shal be in his house 2. Besides the temporal commodity and fruits in this life of the believers righteous carriage, gracious rewards are laid up for him in another life for ever: His righteousnesse endureth for ever.
Ver. 4. VntoUnto the upright there ariseth light in the darknesse: he is gracious and full of compassion, and righteous.
The third proof of the believers blessednesse, is comfort in all troubles, and a deliverance out of all difficulties, as the fruit of Gods grace enduring in him. Whence learn, 1. Albeit the Lord will not exempt the believer from dark passages of his providence, or from affliction and perplexity, yet he will make him sure of comfort, direction, and a good event; Unto the upright there ariseth light in darknesse. 2. The light and comfort which is bestowed upon the upright, is the fruit of Gods grace toward him, and of the juncture of saving graces in him: for the words may be extended both to God, and to the believer by Gods donation; He is gracious and full of compassion, and righteous; which is true of the believer in some degree, and of God it is true, absolutely and infinitely.
Ver. 5. A good man sheweth favour and lendeth; he will guide his affaires with discretion.
A fourth proof of the believers blessednesse is, from his properties or fruitfulness of his faith, in the works of justice and mercy, dispensed with discretion. Whence learn, 1. The believer to whom God hath extended favour and kindness, will be good to them among whom he liveth, and by the fruits of equity, love, kindnesse and mercy, will give evidence of Gods grace dwelling in him: for here the believer is called, A good man, who sheweth mercy, and lendeth. 2. Grace and godlinesse, sound and fruitful faith, do not make men to become fooles without discretion, but do consist well with prudence and discretion, in ordering their affaires wisely, and do teach them to give, when, what, and to whom they should give, as the circumstances of time, and place, and person, need of the partie, and their own ability do require: He will guide his affaires with discre…ion.
Ver. 6. Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.
A fifth proof of the beleevers blessednesse, is the promise of his stability in grace, and estimation with God for ever. Whence learn, 1. No man shall serve God for nought; the grace bestowed upon him making him to abound in well-doing shall be followed with more grace, rewarding and crowning grace in him, and in special he shall be setled in the state of grace, whatsoever temporal changes of inward or outward condition he may suffer; Surely he shall not be moved for ever. 2. Albeit the world may misregard the believer, and traduce him while he liveth, and calumniate him when he is dead, yet his memory shall remain fresh and fragrant before God, Angels and good men who know him: The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.
Ver. 7. He shall not be afraid of evil tydings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.
A sixth proof of the beleevers blessednesse, is from the peace of God guarding his heart against the fear of evil. Whence learn, 1. Albeit the believer wanteth not his own infirmities and feares, yet he is not overcome of fear, as the wicked or incredulous are; He shall not be afraid of evil tydings. 2. The guard of the godly mans heart, is not confidence in his owne wisdom or strength, natural courage or any earthly thing, but that which setleth him is faith in God: His heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord.
Ver. 8. His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.
The seventh proof of the believers blessedness, is his security from his enemies. Whence learn, 1. Albeit the beleever be not exempted from having enemies; yea, and those mighty and terrible, and such as will be studying a mischief against him, and breathing out terrours, yet faith in God will guard his heart so, that he shall not be moved from the course of Gods obedience for all that the enemy can do; His heart is established, he shall not be afraid. 2. The light of Gods Word doth shew unto the believer both his own delivery, and the overthrow of his enemies▪ which if he do not see in full effect in his own time, yet he shall foresee it in the predictions of Gods Word: He shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.
Ver. 9. He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor: his righteousnesse endureth for ever: his horne shall be exalted with honour.
The eighth proof of the believers blessedness, is from his constant course in fruitfulness of faith, and from the fruits thereof. Whence learn, 1. The works of merciemercy to the distressed▪ are a special fruit and commendation of the faith of the beleever: He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poore. 2. The beleever so giveth as he may be still able to give to many; He hath dispersed. 3. As the beleevers righteousness by justification, so his endeavour to be righteous in the effect of sanctification, is not by fits, but constant and permanent; His righteousnesse endureth for ever. 4. Albeit the righteous may have their reputation blasted among men, yet God in due time shall make them honourable: His horne shall be exalted with honour.
Ver. 10. The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.
The last proof of the blessedness of the beleever is, that his enemies shall envie his happinesse, when they shall see the godly in good case, and themselves miserable. Whence learn, 1. Sometime, even in this life the Lord so exalteth the beleever, as his enemies are made witnesses thereof to their grief; and however, yet at length at the great day they shall see the believers joy clearly, to the increase of their own sorrow: The wicked shall see it, and be grieved. 2. The more the wicked do envie the good of the godly, the more miserable doth he make himself: He shall gnash with his teeth and melt away. 3. As the seeming good which the wicked doth, shall be consumed and vanish; so the good which he hoped and desired to have, shall never come to be enjoyed by him, but shall vanish: He shall melt away, the desire of the wicked shall perish.