Henry Ainsworth on Psalms 112

PSAL. CXII.

Halelu-jah.

1 OBlessed is the man that feareth Iehovah; that delighteth greatly in his commandements.

2 His seed shall be mighty in the earth: the generation of the righteous shall be blessed.

3 Wealthy store and riches shall bee in his house: and his justice standeth to perpetuall aye.

4 Vnto the righteous light ariseth in darknesse: gracious, and pittifull, and just.

5 A good man doth graciously and lendeth: he will moderate his words in judgment.

6 Surely hee shall not be moved for ever: the just man shall be to everlasting momorie.

7 He will not feare for evill heare-say: his heart is fixed, trusting in Iehovah.

8 His heart is stablished, he will not feare; untill he see, upon his distresses.

9 He hath scattered abroad, he hath given to the poore; his justice standeth to perpetuall aye: his horne shall be exalted with honour.

10 The wicked shall see, and be angry; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.

Annotations. HAlelu-jah] or, Praise ye the LORD. This Psalme setteth out the praises of the godly man; and is composed after the order of the Hebrew Alphabet, even as the former 111. Psalme, with which in many things it is to be compared. Vers. 2. his seed] his children, as Psal. 21. 11. Levit. 21. 17. So the Chaldee saith, his sonnes shall be mighty in the Law. the generation] their progenie, as Deut. 29. 22. Iob 42. 16. or, the nation, (the multitude) of righteous men: see Psal. 12. 8. and 14. 5. Vers. 3. Wealth] or store of riches, sufficiency of wealth gathered with labour and industry: the Hebrew Hon signifieth also sufficiency, Prov. 30. 15. standeth] that is, continueth, abideth, as Psal. 111. 3. where the very same is spoken of God. So after, vers. 9. Vers. 4. light ariseth] or springeth up, properly as the Sunne riseth, Mal. 4. 2. Light signifieth comfort, peace, joy, &c. as darknesse, affliction, Iob 30. 26. Esth. 8. 16. Psal. 107. 10. Lam. 3. 2. And so in Religion, Act. 26. 18, 23. Rom. 2. 19. 2 Cor. 4. 6. Compare this sentence with Esa. 58. 10. Exod. 10. 23. and the contrary, Iob 38. 15. gracious] this may be understood of God, thus; from him that is gracious, &c. as Psal. 111. 4. or of the godly man, that he is gracious, &c. as the next verse sheweth: or, of the light, that it is gracious, &c. meaning it of God, who is our light, as Psal. 27. 1. Vers. 5. will moderate] or measure out, or carry and dispense them, as the Greeke explaineth it, by the similitude of a steward. his words] or, affaires, matters. en-judgement] or, with discretion▪ as is fit and right, Psal. 25. 9. Ezek. 34. 16. Vers. 6. Surely] or For▪ compare Psal. 15. 5. Vers. 7. heare-say] or hearing, that is, tidings, fame, rumour or report, which he heareth, as the word signifieth, Rom. 10. 16, 17. So that which one Evangelist calleth akoé, hearing, Mark. 1. 28. another calleth echos, sound or ecchoe, Luke 4. 37. both meaning fame or rumour. See the contrary to this in the wicked, Ier. 49. 23. fixed] or firmely prepared, not to be moved with ill tidings. Vers. 8. he see] to wit, Gods worke, or reward; see Psal. 54. 9. The Chaldee otherwise, thus, till hee see redemption in distresse. Vers. 9. scatt[illegible: 1 letter]red] to wit, his riches (as the Chaldee explaineth it) that is, given and lent it freely, without looking for any thing thereof, as Luke. 6. 35. though thereby he is more increased, Prov. 11. 24. See 2 Cor. 9. 9. justice] this generally is all righteousnesse, sometime almes; see Psal. 24. 5. his horne] that is, power and glory: so the Chaldee saith, his strength: see Ps. 75. 5. 11. and 92. 11. and 89. 18, 25. 1 Sam. 2. 1. Vers. 10. the desire] that is, the thing that hee desireth shall not be granted him. Compare Prov. 10. 24, 28. and 13. 12.