Seventh-day Adventist Bible CommentaryPsalms 112

Delighteth greatly. The secret and source of all true happiness and prosperity is the fear of the Lord. Such fear leads to a cheerful and thorough obedience to God’s commandments.

Mighty. Heb. gibbor, “vigorous,” or “heroic [in battle].”

Righteousness endureth. The character of a good man is a reflection of the character of God. “A character formed according to the divine likeness is the only treasure that we can take from this world to the next” (COL 332).

Light in the darkness. The Lord is the light that arises in the darkness unto them that are sincere toward Him: He is “the Sun of righteousness” (Mal. 4:2). He is gracious and full of compassion. The adjectives here used are in the singular number, whereas the word for “upright” is in the plural. It seems clear, however, from the general tenor of the psalm that the godly man is being described. The righteous man shares the divine attributes. He becomes a partaker of the divine nature (see 2 Peter 1:4).

Discretion. Heb. mishpaṭ, “decision,” or “judgment.” The good man manifests good judgment. He has sanctified common sense.

Everlasting remembrance. The good man’s name is ever blessed (see Prov. 10:7). As God caused Himself to be remembered by His marvelous works (Ps. 111:4), so the godly man is held in remembrance for his acts of mercy and kindness. No one desires to be forgotten. All like to be remembered.

Fixed. That is, “firm,” or “established.” The righteous man has a good conscience and a quiet trust; he is not like the wicked man, who is tortured continually by premonitions of misfortune (see Prov. 10:24).

Established. Literally, “supported,” “sustained,” or “braced upon” (see on Ps. 71:6). The heart of the righteous is supported by God, and rests upon a firm foundation of faith in Him.

He hath dispersed. That is, he is liberal, openhanded, and shares what he possesses with the needy. Because of his generous dealings he is constantly increasing (see Prov. 11:24).

Melt away. The wicked look on and are enraged at the final prosperity of the righteous. The sinner dies a disappointed man, and his final end is destruction. As wax melts before the sun and is no more, so will the end of the wicked be (see on Ps. 68:2).