psalm 112 chiastic structure

Read Psalm 112 at Bible Gateway.

introduction) Psa 112:1a, Praise the Lord! {n}

1a) Psa 112:1b, The blessing of the righteous: Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who delights greatly in His commandments;

1b) Psa 112:2, His descendants will be mighty on earth; The generation of the upright will be blessed;

1c) Psa 112:3-5, Because he guides his affairs with discretion, he has wealth + riches / righteousness endures forever:

1a) Psa 112:3a, Wealth and riches will be in his house;
1b) Psa 112:3b, And his righteousness endures forever;
central axis) Psa 112:4a, Unto the upright He shines as a light in the darkness:
2b) Psa 112:4b, Gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous;
2a) Psa 112:5, A good man deals graciously and lends; he will guide his affairs with discretion.

1d) Psa 112:6, Surely he will never be shaken; The righteous will be in everlasting remembrance;

1e) Psa 112:7a, He will not be afraid of evil tidings;

1f) Psa 112:7b, His heart is steadfast;

central axis) Psa 112:7c, Trusting in the Lord;

2f) Psa 112:8a, His heart is established;

2e) Psa 112:8b, He will not be afraid;

2d) Psa 112:8c, Until he sees his desire upon his enemies;

2c) Psa 112:9a, He has dispersed abroad, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; {n}

2b) Psa 112:9b, His horn will be exalted with honor;

2a) Psa 112:10, The vexation of the wicked:

10a The wicked will see it and be grieved; he will gnash his teeth and melt away; {n}
10b The desire of the wicked shall perish. {p}

This psalm describes the man with the fixed heart, whose heart is fixed, firmly established, in his relationship and confidence in the Lord. The central axis is that he trusts in the Lord – this is why his heart is fixed; this is why he is not afraid of evil tidings. He knows what is true about his God, therefore lies and evil circumstances do not shake him. His trust in God is the heart of the psalm. It is wrapped in his wise and righteous deeds, delighting greatly in His commandments. In the Hebrew, fear of God and regard for His word, delight in His commandments, cannot be divorced from the corresponding action of obedience to them.