Psalms 111-112 go together like two sides of the same coin.

Psalm 111 begins “I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart in the company of the upright…Great are the works of the Lord…Full of splendor and majesty.” The psalm continues to praise the Lord for all his great works, ending with “He sent redemption to his people.”  All that the Lord has done leads the psalmist to conclude, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”

Fear of the Lord is a determination to hold God in reverence and to obediently put into practice his commandments, “all those who practice (wisdom) have a good understanding.”

Psalm 112, tells us, “Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commandments.”  The psalmist states the blessings that his children will have a good reputation and be respected and he will have wealth.  Yet he also alludes to the times when these blessings are not forthcoming.  Even then “Light dawns in the darkness for the upright.”  The upright person will continue to be merciful and deal generously in his affairs.  He will never be moved from his uprightness and so he will be remembered.  Bad news won’t faze him because his firmness and steadiness is in trusting in the Lord. No matter the circumstances he will continue to give to the poor.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are the light shining in darkness for the upright. Teach us to love one another as you love us, that we might being peace and joy to the world and find the happiness of your home, where you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.