A Study of Psalms 112:1-8
Grace and Peace
Trust
- reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing; confidence.
- confident expectation of something; hope.
Psalm 112:7
He will not fear evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
Looking behind the original meaning of the boldly highlighted words of this passage, I am going to rewrite the verse in an attempt to enhance the essential meaning below.
The righteous ones of God will not be afraid, nor dreadful when dealing with unpleasant misery associated with bad reports, news, and rumors. Their inclination, resolve, and will is boldly confident and they hope to be firm in the self-Existent, eternal God of Israel.
Biblical Interpretation
Visible Manifestation of the Inner Workings of the Holy Spirit
One’s faith, and or confidence has a present tense associated with the deeper meaning of this verse. God’s faithful ones require a day-by-day, moment-by-moment “now time” active faith dynamic that enables them to deal with the current events in their lives, leading them forward to the known and uncertain reality of the future.
Such faith is not a by-product of ourselves, nor our strength, or intelligence. The necessary faith that is required for us today is our willingness to rely exclusively on God’s goodness, His favor, promises, and eternal provisions. This reliability is our source of strength as we are supernaturally protected by Him throughout our lives, chiefly doing the hardships, trials, and tribulations of our journey.
Such trust, hope, reliance, and faith are a byproduct of the Holy Spirit of God who now equips His children with spiritual blessings based upon our renewed lives. We are His children who are justified and are His representative on the earth who now are endowed with the Fruit of the Holy Spirit working in and through our lives.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control; against such things, there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23
Godly blessedness of spiritual faith is now an unwavering conviction that an individual, family, group, or nation has in knowing that the powerful faithful hand of our Heavenly Father has complete sovereignty over His creation and His creatures.
God’s Righteousness
Key Aspects of the Righteousness of God
Our Heavenly Father’s righteousness is characterized by uprightness or moral integrity. Righteousness is a state or condition of being declared upright, moral, just, or virtuous.
God’s righteousness in the lives of His people is not to be an assessment in one’s estimation but it is what other people discern about you and me when they encounter us or spend time with us. They sense or visualize someone that is upstanding and moral in thoughts, actions, and beliefs.
Wherefore by their fruits, ye shall know them.” From Luke 6:43–45 (KJV): “For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. For every tree is known by its fruit.
Key Biblical reference: “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the Righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21
God’s righteousness is not earned, it is a spiritual blessing given through an exchange life of Christ for a sinner. It is not bought by the highest bidder, for it has already been paid for by Christ. [Romans 5:9], and lastly, it is not of this world, for it is eternal. Romans 3:21-24; 1 Peter 2:9-10
The essence of Psalm 112 is a contrast between the blessings of the righteous and the judgments of the wicked. Yet, more specifically, the larger context of this Scripture is a picture of what God’s righteousness looks like in a fallen culture.
Traits of the Righteous of God that Faithfully Trust in Him
As noted in verses 1-6 and 8
- Happiness is rooted in the reverence of God and the delight of the transformational power of the living Word of God within the heart.
- The family will be stable while having renowned uprightness and blessings.
- Benefits of various aspects of Godly provisions occupying their homes, as goodness and mercy are manifested throughout their lives.
- The powerful illumination of wisdom and spiritual knowledge is manifested in the steps of God’s people. Such tangible evidence is noted by random acts of kindness and lovingkindness throughout the darkness of the culture.
- Goodness is the owner of the righteous family as a blessing for being the possessor of the spirit of fairness and generosity.
- The people who are the righteous of God’s legacy is that of unweaving courage.
- Bad news will not paralyze the will of His people, for their heart is steadfast upon the Lord. Foes of the righteous of God will not obtain victory over His people at the end of the battles.
Practical Life Application
The “faithful disciples of Christ are spiritually endowed by the ministry of the Holy Spirit and the practice of spiritual disciplines to trust God daily in all situations. Trusting God is abiding and resting in Him by discerning His goodness and greatness and being protected, embraced, and surrounded by His covenant love compassion, and favor in this life, and the eternal life to come.
For You, O LORD will bless the righteous;
With favor, You will surround him as with a shield.
— Psalm 5:12
Trust (betach) in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
— Proverbs 3:3-5
[This portion in the practical application was gleaned from the link: https://discover.hubpages.com/religion-philosophy/Trust-Hebrew-Word-Study]
Grace and PeaceBrother Alonzo
