The Pulpit Commentary
Praise ye the Lord. Again a "heading," or "introduction" (see the comment on Psa_111:1). Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord. Connect this with Psa_111:10. The closing thought of Psa_111:1-10. is taken up and expanded in Psa_112:1-10. That delighteth greatly in his commandments (comp. Psa_1:2; Psa_119:16, Psa_119:17, Psa_119:24, Psa_119:70, Psa_119:77, etc.). "True obedience can only come from pleasure in the commandments of God" (Hengstenberg).

The Pulpit Commentary
His seed shall be mighty upon earth. The phrase used of Nimrod in Gen_10:8, but not necessarily to be taken in exactly the same sense; rather as gibor hail in Rth_2:1 and 1Sa_9:1, "wealthy, prosperous." The generation of the upright shall be blessed; i.e. shall receive blessing from the Most High, and shall therefore prosper. To be blessed in one's seed was, under the old covenant, the highest of blessings.

The Pulpit Commentary
Wealth and riches shall be in his house. Bishop Butler has well shown how, in God's moral government of the world, virtue tends to accumulate to itself the good things of this life, and vice to disperse and dissipate them. And his righteousness endureth forever. Human goodness—here called "righteousness" is a thing which does not change, since character is formed by habits, and habits are "a second nature."

The Pulpit Commentary
Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness. God's Word is "a lantern unto their feet, and a light unto their paths" (Psa_119:105)—sufficient under most circumstances to guide their steps aright. When this is not enough, he vouchsafes an inward light to them (Psa_27:1; Psa_36:9; Isa_58:10; Isa_49:6, etc.). He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. It is a very forced interpretation to understand this as said of Jehovah. The entire subject of the psalm is the righteous, God-like man. In him are reflected shadows of all the Divine qualities.

The Pulpit Commentary
A good man showeth favor, and lendeth; rather, well is it with the man that showeth, etc. The verse is exegetical of the latter clause of Psa_112:4, and shows how the righteous man's compassion works. It makes him "show favor," or "kindness," to men generally, and "lend" to those who are in necessity (comp. Psa_37:26; and for the duty of lending to the needy, see Deu_15:8, Deu_15:11). He will guide his affairs with discretion; rather, perhaps, with equity. Scarcely, as Professor Cheyne suggests, "in courts of justice."

The Pulpit Commentary
Surely he shall not be moved forever. God's blessing shall abide with him, and make his happiness sure and stable. (On stability as a necessary element in happiness, see Aristotle, 'Eth. Nic.,' 1. 10. § 7, 8.) The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance; i.e. everlastingly remembered by God.

The Pulpit Commentary
He shall not be afraid of evil tidings. Confident in God's goodness to wards him, he will not anticipate misfortunes. They may come, as even the best man is not exempt from them; but he will not meet them half-way. His heart is fixed; i.e. firmly established (see Psa_112:8)—settled on a sure basis—trusting in the Lord—the one basis that is solid and immovable.

The Pulpit Commentary
His heart is established. Almost a repetition of the phrase in Psa_112:7, "his heart is fixed"—seemingly, therefore, superfluous, but really emphasizing the point, which is of great moment (see the comment of Hengstenberg, and compare the "just man" of Horace, 'Od.,' 3.3, 2. 1-8). He shall not be afraid. "Perfect love casteth out fear" (1Jn_4:18). He who feels himself always and altogether in the hands of a loving Father cannot be afraid of what is about to befall him. Until he see his desire upon his enemies. He knows that his enemies have no real power to harm him, and that ultimately he will "see his desire upon them;" i.e. will triumph over them (see Psa_54:7; Psa_59:10, etc.).

The Pulpit Commentary
He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor. There is no virtue in mere "dispersing," since spendthrifts" disperse" even more lavishly than virtuous men. The only laudable "dispersing" is that which has for its object the relief of distress, and which is wisely directed to that object. His righteousness endureth forever (see the comment on Psa_112:3). His horn shall be exalted with honor. The esteem of men, on the whole, follows upon goodness, and the righteous obtain more honor than others.

The Pulpit Commentary
The wicked shall see it, and be grieved. The wicked hate the righteous (Psa_105:25), and are naturally "grieved" to see them prosper. "When shall he die, and his name perish?" is the thought of their heart against the godly man. He shall gnash with his teeth (comp. Job_16:9; Psa_35:16; Psa_37:12; Lam_2:16 : Act_7:54). Civilization represses these emotional displays, but the feeling remains nevertheless. And melt away; or, "consume away"—"waste away"—through envy and hate. The desire of the wicked shall perish (comp. Psa_1:6). "The desire of the wicked"—that which they earnestly long for, which is the downfall and destruction of the righteous—does not come to pass, but falls to the ground, "perishes," comes to naught.