1.
Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.
1. True fear produces obedience
and this happiness.
2.
His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.
2, 3. Temporal blessings follow
the service of God, exceptions occurring only as they are seen by God
to be inconsistent with those spiritual blessings which are better.
3.
Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
4.
Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
4. light—figurative for relief
(Psalms 27:1; Psalms 97:11).
the upright—are like
God (Luke 6:36; Psalms 111:4).
5.
A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.
5-9. Generosity, sound judgment
in business, and confidence in God, form a character which preserves
from fear of evil and ensures success against enemies. While a man
thus truly pious is liberal, he increases in substance.
6.
Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.
6. not be moved—(compare
Psalms 13:4; Psalms 15:5).
7.
He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.
5-9. Generosity, sound judgment
in business, and confidence in God, form a character which preserves
from fear of evil and ensures success against enemies. While a man
thus truly pious is liberal, he increases in substance.
8.
His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.
8. heart is established—or,
firm in right principles.
see his desire—
(Psalms 50:23; Psalms 54:7).
9.
He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.
5-9. Generosity, sound judgment
in business, and confidence in God, form a character which preserves
from fear of evil and ensures success against enemies. While a man
thus truly pious is liberal, he increases in substance.
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.
10. Disappointed in their
malevolent wishes by the prosperity of the pious, the wicked are
punished by the working of their evil passions, and come to naught.