[We apologize for the echoey quality of the recording for this and the next several sermons.]
[Sung Psalm: 111]
Psalm 112 is linked to Psalm 111 by the use of the same acrostic structure – the same opening line (Praise the LORD) – and by using a number of the same words and themes as Psalm 111.
An acrostic poem – as we saw last week, uses an alphabetical structure for the poem. Each line of the Psalm begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
There are 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet – but there are 23 lines in Psalm 111.
The one line in Psalm 111 (and Psalm 112, for that matter) that doesn't fit the acrostic is the opening line: "Praise the LORD!"
This has the effect of linking these two alphabetical poems – Both are designed to praise the LORD. Psalm 111 praises the LORD for his mighty deeds, while Psalm 112 praises the LORD for the Blessed Man.
Our Shorter Catechism says that the scriptures principally teach "what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man." Psalm 111 focused on the first part. Psalm 112 focuses on the second.
But Psalm 112 says that the blessed man will look and act like God. The one who fears the LORD (v1) prospers (v3) is righteous (v3, 6, 9), is generous and just (5, 9), is renowned (6 – cf. 111:4), firm and steady (v7-8), has no fear (7-8), is honored (v9 – 111:3). Like the LORD in 111:4, the blessed man is “gracious and merciful” (112:4).
Both God and the blessed man share "an identity marked by righteousness, grace, mercy, renown, and power." (Brown, 98) And everything starts with the fear of the LORD.
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