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Commentary on Psalms 112 verses 6–10
In these verses we have,
I. The satisfaction of saints, and their stability. It is the happiness of a good man that he shall not be moved for ever, Psa 112:6. Satan and his instruments endeavour to move him, but his foundation is firm and he shall never be moved, at least not moved for ever; if he be shaken for a time, yet he settles again quickly.
1.A good man will have a settled reputation, and that is a great satisfaction. A good man shall have a good name, a name for good things, with God and good people: The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance (Psa 112:6); in this sense his righteousness (the memorial of it) endures for ever, Psa 112:9. There are those that do all they can to sully his reputation and to load him with reproach; but his integrity shall be cleared up, and the honour of it shall survive him. Some that have been eminently righteous are had in a lasting remembrance on earth; wherever the scripture is read their good deeds are told for a memorial of them. And the memory of many a good man that is dead and gone is still blessed; but in heaven their remembrance shall be truly everlasting, and the honour of their righteousness shall there endure for ever, with the reward of it, in the crown of glory that fades not away. Those that are forgotten on earth, and despised, are remembered there, and honoured, and their righteousness found unto praise, and honour, and glory (Pe1 1:7); then, at furthest, shall the horn of a good man be exalted with honour, as that of the unicorn when he is a conqueror. Wicked men, now in their pride, lift up their horns on high, but they shall all be cut off, Psa 75:5, Psa 75:10. The godly, in their humility and humiliation, have defiled their horn in the dust (Job 16:15); but the day is coming when it shall be exalted with honour. That which shall especially turn to the honour of good men is their liberality and bounty to the poor: He has dispersed, he has given to the poor; he has not suffered his charity to run all in one channel, or directed it to some few objects that he had a particular kindness for, but he has dispersed it, given a portion to seven and also to eight, has sown beside all waters, and by thus scattering he has increased: and this is his righteousness, which endures for ever. Alms are called righteousness, not because they will justify us by making atonement for our evil deeds, but because they are good deeds, which we are bound to perform; so that if we are not charitable we are not just; we withhold good from those to whom it is due. The honour of this endures for ever, for it shall be taken notice of in the great day. I was hungry, and you gave me meat. This is quoted as an inducement and encouragement to charity, Co2 9:9.
2.A good man shall have a settled spirit, and that is a much greater satisfaction than the former; for so shall a man have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. Surely he shall not be moved, whatever happens, not moved either from his duty or from his comfort; for he shall not be afraid; his heart is established, Psa 112:7, Psa 112:8. This is a part both of the character and of the comfort of good people. It is their endeavour to keep their minds stayed upon God, and so to keep them calm, and easy, and undisturbed; and God has promised them both cause to do so and grace to do so. Observe, (1.) It is the duty and interest of the people of God not to be afraid of evil tidings, not to be afraid of hearing bad news; and, when they do, not to be put into confusion by it and into an amazing expectation of worse and worse, but whatever happens, whatever threatens, to be able to say, with blessed Paul, None of these things move me, neither will I fear, though the earth be removed, Psa 46:2. (2.) The fixedness of the heart is a sovereign remedy against the disquieting fear of evil tidings. If we keep our thoughts composed, and ourselves masters of them, our wills resigned to the holy will of God, our temper sedate, and our spirits even, under all the unevenness of Providence, we are well fortified against the agitations of the timorous. (3.) Trusting in the Lord is the best an surest way of fixing and establishing the heart. By faith we must cast anchor in the promise, in the word of God, and so return to him and repose in him as our rest. The heart of man cannot fix any where, to its satisfaction, but in the truth of God, and there it finds firm footing. (4.) Those whose hearts are established by faith will patiently wait till they have gained their point: He shall not be afraid, till he see his desire upon his enemies, that is, till he come to heaven, where he shall see Satan, and all his spiritual enemies, trodden under his feet, and, as Israel saw the Egyptians, dead on the sea-shore. Till he look upon his oppressors (so Dr. Hammond), till he behold them securely, and look boldly in their faces, as being now no longer under their power. It will complete the satisfaction of the saints, when they shall look back upon their troubles and pressures, and be able to say with St. Paul, when he had recounted the persecutions he endured (Ti2 3:11), But out of them all the Lord delivered me.
II. The vexation of sinners, Psa 112:10. Two things shall fret them: - 1. The felicity of the righteous: The wicked shall see the righteous in prosperity and honour and shall be grieved. It will vex them to see their innocency cleared and their low estate regarded, and those whom they hated and despised, and whose ruin they sought and hoped to see, the favourites of Heaven, and advanced to have dominion over them (Psa 49:14); this will make them gnash with their teeth and pine away. This is often fulfilled in this world. The happiness of the saints is the envy of the wicked, and that envy is the rottenness of their bones. But it will most fully be accomplished in the other world, when it shall make damned sinners gnash with their teeth, to see Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in him bosom, to see all the prophets in the kingdom of God and themselves thrust out. 2. Their own disappointment: The desire of the wicked shall perish. Their desire was wholly to the world and the flesh, and they ruled over them; and therefore, when these perish, their joy is gone, and their expectations from them are cut off, to their everlasting confusion; their hope is as a spider's web.
Dearly beloved, whether the Jews receive these divine testimonies with joy or with indignation, nevertheless, when we can, let us proclaim them with great love for the Jews. Let us not proudly glory against the broken branches; let us rather reflect by whose grace it is, and by much mercy, and on what root, we have been ingrafted. Then, not savoring of pride but with a deep sense of humility, not insulting with presumption but rejoicing with trembling, let us say, “Come and let us walk in the light of the Lord,” because his “name is great among the Gentiles.” If they hear him and obey him, they will be among them to whom Scripture says, “Come to him and be enlightened, and your faces shall not be confounded.” If, however, they hear and do not obey, if they see and are jealous, they are among them of whom the psalm says, “The wicked shall see and shall be angry, he shall gnash with his teeth and pine away.” “But I,” the church says to Christ, “as a fruitful olive tree in the house of God, have hoped in the mercy of God for ever, yea forever and ever.”
"The ungodly shall see it, and he shall be angered" [Psalm 112:10]: this is that late and fruitless repentance. For with whom rather than himself is he "angered," when he shall say, "Our pride, what has it profited us? The boastfulness of our riches, what has it given us? [Wisdom 5:8] " seeing the horn of him exalted with honour, who "dispersed abroad, and gave to the poor." "He shall gnash with his teeth, and consume away:" for "there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." For he will no more bring forth leaves and bloom, as would happen if he had repented in season: but he will then repent, when "the desire of the ungodly shall perish," no consolation succeeding. "The desire of the ungodly shall perish," when "all things shall pass away like a shadow," [Wisdom 5:8-9] when the flower shall fall down on the withering of the grass. "But the word of the Lord that endures for ever," [Isaiah 40:8] as it is mocked by the vanity of the falsely happy, so will laugh at the perdition of the same when truly miserable.
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SUMMARY
Psalms 112:10 provides a stark and powerful conclusion to a wisdom psalm celebrating the blessedness of the righteous, contrasting their flourishing with the inevitable and agonizing downfall of the wicked. This verse vividly declares that the ungodly will witness the prosperity of the upright with profound grief, impotent rage, and despair, ultimately experiencing the complete dissolution of their malicious desires and schemes. It serves as a definitive testament to divine justice, assuring the faithful of God's ultimate vindication and the certain failure of all that opposes His righteous order.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Psalm 112 functions as a didactic wisdom psalm, intricately linked to Psalm 111, with which it forms a thematic and structural pair. While Psalm 111 extols the magnificent works and righteous character of Yahweh, Psalm 112 delineates the character and abundant blessings of the person who reveres the Lord and delights in His commandments, thereby presenting a human reflection of divine attributes. The psalm systematically outlines the virtues and rewards of the righteous (from Psalms 112:1 through Psalms 112:9), building to this concluding verse. Psalms 112:10 serves as the dramatic and definitive antithesis, solidifying the psalm's profound message of moral retribution and cosmic order by contrasting the enduring legacy of the righteous with the utter demise of the wicked.
Historical & Cultural Context: Psalm 112 is a component of the "Egyptian Hallel" (Psalms 111-118), a collection of psalms traditionally recited or sung during major Jewish festivals such as Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. This liturgical setting highlights its significance in communal worship and instruction, reinforcing fundamental theological truths concerning God's justice and the inevitable consequences of human conduct. Within the broader ancient Near Eastern wisdom tradition, there was a pervasive emphasis on cosmic order and the principle of retribution, where righteous living was understood to lead to blessing and wickedness to ruin. This psalm, therefore, resonates deeply with the cultural understanding of cause and effect in the moral universe, offering profound assurance to those who align themselves with divine wisdom and live in accordance with God's commands.
Key Themes: This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes present throughout the Psalter and the broader biblical narrative. It emphatically underscores the theme of Divine Justice and Retribution, declaring that the wicked will face severe consequences for their actions, thereby showcasing God's unwavering commitment to righteousness. It vividly highlights the Stark Contrast Between the Righteous and the Wicked, a foundational biblical principle, by depicting their vastly different destinies—the righteous are established and honored, while the wicked are consumed by their own malice and ultimately perish. This reinforces the truth found in Psalm 1:6, which states that "the way of the ungodly shall perish." Furthermore, the imagery powerfully portrays the Frustration and Despair of the Wicked, indicating their extreme anguish, envy, and impotent rage at the success of the righteous and their own inevitable failure. Finally, the verse implies the Vindication of the Righteous, as they will witness God's justice unfold, bringing them peace and reaffirming their trust in God's sovereignty, echoing the ultimate triumph of God's people over their adversaries, a theme seen in passages like Psalm 37:34.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalms 112:10 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. Contrast is the overarching device, setting the blessed and enduring state of the righteous (detailed in Psalms 112:1-9) against the miserable and ephemeral end of the wicked. This stark juxtaposition amplifies the consequences of each path. Imagery is richly used, particularly in phrases like "gnash with his teeth" and "melt away," which evoke visceral responses and paint a vivid picture of extreme anguish, frustration, and dissolution. These are not merely abstract concepts but concrete, painful experiences that communicate the depth of the wicked's torment. The use of "gnashing of teeth" also serves as powerful Foreshadowing, linking this Old Testament depiction of despair to similar imagery used in the New Testament to describe the eternal torment of the unrighteous. The declaration that "the desire of the wicked shall perish" functions as a definitive Proverbial Statement, encapsulating a timeless truth about divine justice and the ultimate futility of opposing God's will.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 112:10 is a profound theological statement on divine justice, affirming God's active involvement in the moral order of the world. It underscores the biblical principle that while the wicked may seem to prosper for a time, their ultimate end is destruction and futility, whereas the righteous, though they may face trials, are ultimately vindicated and established by God. This verse speaks to the sovereignty of God over human affairs, demonstrating that His purposes for His people will prevail, and all opposition will be brought to nothing. It provides comfort and assurance to those who faithfully walk in God's ways, reminding them that their efforts are not in vain and that God sees and will recompense all things in His perfect timing. The perishing of the wicked's desire is not merely a cessation of their plans but a complete nullification of their very essence of opposition, highlighting God's absolute triumph over evil and the certainty of His kingdom's establishment.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 112:10 offers both profound comfort and a sobering warning, serving as a powerful anchor for our faith in a world that often seems to reward injustice. For the believer, it provides deep assurance that faithfulness to God is never in vain; God sees our uprightness, our generosity, and our trust in Him, and He will ultimately bring about justice and vindication. This verse encourages perseverance in good deeds, even when faced with opposition or the apparent prosperity of the wicked, reminding us that true and lasting fulfillment comes only through fearing the Lord and walking in His ways. It challenges us to examine our own desires: are they aligned with God's will, or do they lean towards the self-serving ambitions that are destined to perish? For those who choose a path contrary to God's will, the verse serves as a stark reminder of the inevitable consequences of unrighteousness, calling for introspection and repentance before their desires, too, come to naught. It prompts us to consider the eternal weight of our choices and to invest our lives in what truly endures.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "The wicked shall see [it]" refer to?
Answer: "It" refers to the blessedness, prosperity, and enduring legacy of the righteous person described throughout the preceding verses of Psalm 112. The wicked will witness the flourishing of those who fear the Lord—their established households, their abundant resources, their unwavering confidence, and their lasting righteousness (as detailed in Psalms 112:2-9). This observation is precisely what causes their grief, rage, and ultimate despair, as they realize their own schemes and desires are failing while the righteous are being vindicated by God's hand.
Does "gnash with his teeth" imply physical torment, or is it symbolic?
Answer: While "gnashing of teeth" (חרק שיניים, ḥaraq shinnayim) is a physical action, in this context, it is primarily symbolic of intense inner torment, bitter frustration, impotent rage, and profound despair. It signifies an agonizing emotional and spiritual state, often born out of envy and the crushing realization of one's own failure in the face of another's success. This vivid imagery is used throughout the Bible, particularly by Jesus in the New Testament, to describe the extreme suffering of those who are cast out from God's presence, as seen in passages like Matthew 8:12 and Matthew 13:50. So, while it depicts a physical manifestation, its deeper meaning conveys a state of utter anguish and helplessness.
How does "the desire of the wicked shall perish" relate to their actions?
Answer: "The desire of the wicked" (תאות רשעים, taʾăwath reshaʾim) encompasses not just their internal longings but also their evil plans, ambitions, and schemes against God and His people. When the verse states that this desire "shall perish" (תאבד, toʾved), it means that all their efforts, all their malicious intentions, and all their hopes for success in their wickedness will utterly fail, come to nothing, and be annihilated. This is a powerful declaration of divine judgment: not only will their character lead to their ruin, but their very objectives will be thwarted, proving futile and ultimately dissolving into oblivion. This contrasts sharply with the lasting legacy and fulfilled hopes of the righteous, whose desires, aligned with God's will, find their ultimate fulfillment in Him.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 112:10 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The "righteous one" described throughout Psalm 112, whose light shines in the darkness and whose righteousness endures forever, is perfectly embodied in Christ, the only truly righteous man (1 John 2:1). His life, sacrificial death, and glorious resurrection represent the ultimate triumph of righteousness over all forms of wickedness. The "wicked" who "gnash with their teeth" and "melt away" are ultimately defeated by Christ's decisive victory on the cross, where He disarmed the powers and authorities (Colossians 2:15). The "desire of the wicked"—Satan's schemes, the world's rebellion, and sin's dominion—was utterly crushed by Christ's resurrection, which inaugurated His eternal reign and secured the victory of God's kingdom. Those who opposed Him, from the religious leaders who condemned Him to the demonic forces that sought to thwart God's plan, ultimately saw their desires perish in the face of His divine authority. In Christ, the promise of divine justice is fully realized, and the ultimate vindication of God's people is secured, as we are made righteous in Him and share in His eternal victory over all evil (Revelation 20:10 and Romans 8:37).