Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. Many blessings are promised to those who fear God

2. Psalm 112 is a classic text that describes a God-fearing man

THE PERSON WHO FEARS THE LORD

Praise the Lord!
Blessed is the man who fears the Lord,
Who delights greatly in His commandments.

Psalm 112:1

1. The person described simply

a) He fears the Lord

b) He delights in God’s commandments

2. These two features are highlighted

a) They are within our grasp

b) They are stated to encourage us to practise the fear of God

A SHORT LIST OF BLESSINGS

2 His descendants will be mighty on earth;
The generation of the upright will be blessed.

3 Wealth and riches will be in his house,
And his righteousness endures forever.

4 Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness;
He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.

Psalm 112:2-4

1. The person who fears God is upright

2. The blessing includes “wealth and riches”

3. He has enduring righteousness

4. He will have light amidst darkness

5. These blessings should move our hearts to praise the Lord!

THE DEEDS OF A GOOD MAN

4 Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness;
He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous

5 A good man deals graciously and lends;
He will guide his affairs with discretion.

6 Surely he will never be shaken;
The righteous will be in everlasting remembrance.

7 He will not be afraid of evil tidings;
His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.

8 His heart is established;
He will not be afraid,
Until he sees his desire upon his enemies.

9 He has dispersed abroad,
He has given to the poor;
His righteousness endures forever;
His horn will be exalted with honor.

Psalm 112:4-9

1. His character

a) He is gracious

b) Full of compassion

c) Righteous

d) His heart is steadfast, trusting in God

e) His heart is established

f) He is not filled with fear

g) His righteousness endures

2. His deeds

a) He deals graciously

b) He lends

c) He guides his affairs with discretion

d) He gives to the poor

e) He disperses his wealth abroad

THE RESPONSE OF THE WICKED

The wicked will see it and be grieved;
He will gnash his teeth and melt away;
The desire of the wicked shall perish.

Psalm 112:10

1. The wicked sees all these things

2. He is grieved by what he has observed

3. He will gnash his teeth in anger and frustration

4. His desires will perish

5. He will melt away

6. He cannot fathom how and why the righteous are so blessed

7. He does not practise the fear of God in his life

OUR CHALLENGE

1. To be challenged to practise the fear of the Lord

2. To understand that the fear of the Lord is real only when we see matching deeds of righteousness in our life

3. The blessings of God reflect His approval