Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 112:2
His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.
2. His seed &c.] His posterity shall be powerful in the land. Cp. Psa 25:13; Psa 37:9; Psa 37:11. Gibbr generally means valiant in war, but is here used for the sake of the acrostic, in the wider sense of powerful by wealth and position.
the generation of the upright ] Lit. a generation of upright men, the descendants of the man who fears Jehovah, parallel to and synonymous with his seed.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
His seed shall be mighty upon earth – His children; his posterity. That is, they shall be prospered; honored; distinguished among people: distinguished for their virtues, for their influence, for their success in life. This refers to what was regarded among the Hebrews as an object of great desire, and is in accordance with the promises everywhere found in their Scriptures. See Psa 25:13, note; Psa 37:25-26, notes. Compare Gen 12:2; Gen 17:6; Exo 20:6. It is in accordance, also, with a general fact in the course of events. The best security for the virtue and success of children is the virtue and the piety of parents; the surest inheritance as pertaining to happiness, respectability, and usefulness in life, is that which is derived from the example, the prayers, the counsel of a pious father and mother.
The generation of the upright shall be blessed – The family; the children. Such promises are to be expected to be fulfilled in general; it is not required by any proper rules of interpreting language that this should be universally and always true.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 2. His seed shall be mighty] zaro, his posterity. So the word should always be understood in this connection.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The generation, i.e. the posterity, as this word is oft used, as Lev 23:43; Num 9:10, &c., called his seed in the former branch.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
2, 3. Temporal blessings followthe service of God, exceptions occurring only as they are seen by Godto be inconsistent with those spiritual blessings which are better.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
His seed shall be mighty upon earth,…. The Targum is,
“mighty in the law;”
as Apollos is said to be “mighty in the Scriptures”, Ac 18:24. This must be understood of such of them as fear the Lord also, and love him, and delight in his commandments, according to Ex 20:6 and not in a literal sense, for not many mighty are called; but in a spiritual sense, of their being strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might, and in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Some understand this of the spiritual seed of Christ; and make him to be the man that feared the Lord, and greatly delighted in his commandments, as it is certain he did; he was heard in that he feared; and it was his meat and drink to do the will of him that sent him. He has a spiritual seed; and these are mighty in the sense before given; and as they will be in the latter day, when the feeble among them shall be as David, and the house of David as God, as the Angel of the Lord; when the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven shall be given to the saints, and, being kings and priests, they shall reign with Christ on earth. Aben Ezra thinks the note of similitude “as” is wanting, and supplies it thus, “his seed shall be as a mighty man on earth”; be known, as he is in his generation.
The generation of the upright shall be blessed; the seed of them, as before, who are the upright in heart and conversation: or the age in which upright men live is happy on their account; or a succession of upright persons: or rather a company of them dwelling together, at the same time, and in the same place; the same with the generation of them that seek the Lord, Ps 24:6, these are blessed with spiritual and eternal blessings.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
2 His seed shall be powerful For the purpose of confirming the statement which he advanced respecting the happiness of the man that fears Jehovah and takes delight in his commandments, the prophet enumerates the tokens of God’s loving-kindness, which he is wont to bestow upon his worshippers. And, in the first place, he says that God’s fatherly kindness is not confined to their own persons, it also extends to their posterity: agreeably to what is said in the law, “I am merciful to a thousand generations, towards them that love me and keep my commandments,” Exo 34:7. And in Psa 103:8, and other passages, we have formerly adverted to this doctrinal statement. As, however, not a few are disposed to pervert this doctrine, by applying it as the standard according to which God dispenses his temporal favors, it is therefore proper to bear in mind what I have said in Psa 37:25, that these are bestowed according to the manner, and in the measure, which God pleases. Sometimes it happens that a good man is childless; and barrenness itself is considered a curse of God. Again, many of God’s servants are oppressed with poverty and want, are borne down under the weight of sickness, and harassed and perplexed with various calamities. It is therefore necessary to keep this general principle in view, That God sometimes bestows his bounty more profusely, and, at other times, more sparingly, upon his children, according as he sees it to be most for their good; and, moreover, he sometimes conceals the tokens of his kindness, apparently as if he had no regard for his people at all. Still, amid this perplexity, it constantly appears that these words were not uttered in vain, the righteous and their offspring are blessed God very frequently blasts the vain hopes of the ungodly, whose sole object is to bear rule in the world, and to raise their children to places of wealth and honor. On the other hand, as the faithful are satisfied with bringing up their children in the fear of God, and contented to live sparingly, God, as it were with an outstretched hand, exalts them to honor. Add to this, that anciently, under the law, the truth of this doctrine was more evident; because it was requisite for a people inexperienced and feeble, to be trained gradually, by means of temporal benefits, to entertain a better hope. And in our times, but for our vices, God’s temporal kindness would shine more brightly upon us. For experience demonstrates that what is immediately subjoined does not uniformly hold true, wealth and riches shall be in the houses of the righteous It is no uncommon occurrence for the virtuous and holy to suffer hunger, and to be in want even of the most homely fare; and, for this reason, it would not be for their good were God to bestow more earthly benefits upon them. In afflicting circumstances, numbers of them would be incapable of behaving in a manner becoming their profession. In the meantime, we may observe, that the grace which the prophet commends appears principally in this, that the good and sincere are satisfied with their humble estate, whereas no portion, however large, even to the extent of the world itself, will content the ungodly worldling. The old adage holds true, That the covetous wants that which he has, as well as that which he has not; because he is master of nothing, and is the slave of his own wealth. In connection with this clause must also be taken that which follows, the righteousness of good men endureth for ever This, in fact, constitutes the true and proper difference between the godly and ungodly; because the latter may, for a time, hoard up immense wealth; yet, all that shall, according to the words of the prophet, “suddenly vanish away at the blast of the Almighty,” Hag 1:9. And we daily see that what has been acquired by violence and deceit, becomes the prey and property of others. But, to the faithful, their integrity is the best and surest preserver of God’s blessings.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(2) Mighty.In the sense of wealthy, as in Rth. 2:1.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
2. His seed shall be mighty upon earth A characteristic blessing of the covenant, (Gen 13:15-16; Gen 15:18; Gen 17:8,) and the characteristic passion of the Hebrew people. The Greek reading of the last clause of Num 23:10, is, “And let my seed be like his seed.” “Mighty,” in the text, is not to be taken in the sense of heroic, warlike, as often, but in the sense of powerful having dominion, swaying the forces of society, and this is God’s purpose in regard to his true Church.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
If the Reader wishes, as well he may, to know who are the seed of this blessed man, let him consult Gal 3:29 . And if he wishes to know also what blessings they are entitled to, let him further consult the word of God in such scriptures as these: Gen 12:3 , compared with Gal 3:8 ; Isa 59:21Isa 59:21 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 112:2 His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.
Ver. 2. And his seed shall be mighty upon earth ] As Abraham’s was, and, besides, the reward of his humility and fear of the Lord was riches and honour, and life, Pro 22:4 . For godliness is profitable to all things, having the promises of this life, and of that to come, 1Ti 4:8 , as in this psalm is fully set forth.
The generation of the upright, &c.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 25:13, Psa 37:26, Psa 102:28, Gen 17:7, Gen 22:17, Gen 22:18, Pro 20:7, Jer 32:39, Act 2:39
Reciprocal: Gen 13:15 – General Gen 26:5 – General Num 7:62 – General Deu 12:25 – that it 2Ki 4:1 – thy servant did fear Ezr 9:12 – and leave it Job 5:25 – thy seed Psa 7:10 – which Psa 14:5 – the generation Psa 37:25 – nor his seed Psa 64:10 – upright Pro 11:21 – the seed Pro 13:22 – leaveth Pro 14:11 – the tabernacle Act 11:14 – all
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Psa 112:2-3. His seed shall be mighty upon the earth The divine blessing shall rest upon his posterity; and they shall fare the better, and be more powerful and prosperous, for the sincere piety and virtue of their godly progenitors. Religion, says Henry, has been the raising of many a family, if not so as to advance it high, yet so as to found it firm. When good men themselves are happy in heaven, their seed, perhaps, are considerable on earth, and will themselves own it is by virtue of a blessing descending from their forefathers. The generation of the upright shall be blessed If they tread in the steps of their upright parents, and other pious ancestors, they shall be more blessed for their relation to them; for so is the covenant, I will be a God to thee, and to thy seed. They shall be blessed with outward prosperity as far as will be good for them, for, as Dr. Hammond observes, as long as God hath the disposing of the good things of this world, it is unreasonable to imagine that any subtleties or projects of ours, which have impiety in them, and thereby forfeit all title to Gods benedictions, should be near so successful toward our present worldly interests, as a strict piety and constant adherence to the ways of God. Wealth and riches shall be in his house Possessed by him while he lives, and continued in his family after his death, if God sees this will be for his and their present and eternal good: for godliness hath the promise of the life that now is, as well as of that which is to come. The true wealth, however, of Christians, is of another kind; their riches are such as neither moth can corrupt nor thief steal. Grace and glory are in the house of Christ, and everlasting righteousness is the portion of his children.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
2. The blessings the righteous enjoy 112:2-9
There are five blessings that normally come to the righteous. First, the righteous person (living under the Mosaic Covenant) receives physical and material prosperity (Psa 112:2-3). Second, he obtains light in his darkness (Psa 112:4). Third, goodness comes to him for his generosity and justice (Psa 112:5). Fourth, he enjoys stability and confidence (Psa 112:6-8). Fifth, he gets strength and honor from the Lord because he gives to the poor (Psa 112:9).
"In a way this psalm can be taken as a calculating guide on how to be happy. But its claim goes well beyond that. It asserts that giving life resources away to others in the community is the way to real joy. This psalm is echoed in Jesus’ teaching, ’Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied’ (Mat 5:6)." [Note: Brueggemann, p. 47.]