Psalm 112:1 Fear God

Psalm 112:1 Praise the LORD. Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands.

Here is another acrostic psalm beginning with a hallelujah. This time the verses are more obviosuly coherent. The hallelujah is followed by a beatitude or blessing. A blessing is pronounced on the person who fears the LORD. That phrase is elaborated by a succeeding one that says that the man who fears the LORD is one who finds great delight in his commands. The rest of the psalm expounds this a little by answering two questions. First, what the blessings might be and, second, what delighting in God's commands looks like. The blessings include children who are mighty in trhe land and blessed themselves, riches and wealth, light even in the dark, not being shaken, having no fear of bad news, always being remembered, (paradoxically) having no fear, having one's horn lifted and looking in triumph on his foes and, above everything else, having a righteousness that endures (this is mentioned twice though the psalm is short). As for delighting in God's commands it involves being a gracious and compassionate and righteous man, being generous, conducting one's affairs with justice and trusting in the LORD with a steadfast heart. Here is a reminder to us then that in Christ, graciousness, compassion, generosity, fairness, steadfastness to the Lord and trust in him will bring their own reward, whatever it may cost us to live in such a way. Meanwhile, the wicked man can only expect to see it and be vexed. He will gnash his teeth and waste away. Unlike those of the righteous in Christ, the longings of the wicked, we are assured, will come to nothing. Hallelujah!