|
[1] J.P. Fokkelman notes that the acrostic Psalms are “incontrovertible proof that the poets knew exactly what constituted a colon, a verse, a strophe, and a stanza. Psalms 111-112 are adjacent in the Bible, which is no coincidence, as they have been completely synchronized. Their themes are complementary: Psalm 111 praises God’s uprightness, and Psalm 112 mirrors this by placing the upright man alongside it. Both poems end with a double tricolon as the final strophe, and they are so perfectly twinned that they have exactly the same length: both have 168 syllables in twenty-two cola” (Reading Biblical Poetry, 45). |
|
[2] For similar beatitudes in the Psalter see Psalm 1:1; 32:1; 33:12; 40:4; 41:1; 119:1,2. |
|
[3] “This man
not only studies the divine precepts and endeavors to observe them, but
rejoices to do so: holiness is his happiness, devotion is his delight, truth
is his treasure” (Charles Spurgeon, Psalms, 141). |
|
[4] The translation misses the chiasmus in verses 7-8a, Of evil tidings he is not afraid (v.7a) His heart is steadfast trusting Yahweh (v.7b) His heart is upheld (v.8a) he will not be afraid… (v.8a) |
|
[5] When Paul discusses about the grace of giving in 2 Corinthians 8-9 he cites the example of Jesus and then quotes from Psalm 112:9 (2 Corinthians 8:9; 9:7-11). Interestingly, Paul’s quote highlights God’s abundance and not the blessed man who is the subject of Psalm 112. This is an indication that Paul interpreted Psalm 111-112 as a unit. |
|
[6] John Wesley (1703-1791) is remembered as
a great evangelist, the founder of what became the Methodist Church and his
teaching on sanctification (Perfectionism).
But even more important is the oft forgotten fact that he had one of
the highest earned incomes in England in the 18th century. He lived £30 a year which allowed
for a comfortable living but his goal was to give anything above £30
away. So even when he made £1,400 pounds in a year, he gave almost
all away. He rarely let his expenses
rise above £30. Wesley once said, “[Wealth] is an excellent gift of God, answering the noblest ends. In the hands of his children it is food for the hungry, drink for the thirsty, raiment for the naked. It gives to the traveler and the stranger where to lay his head. By it we may supply the place of an husband to the widow, and of a father to the fatherless; We may be a defense for the oppressed, a means of health to the sick, of ease to them that are in pain. It may be as eyes to the blind, as feet to the lame; yea, a lifter up from the gates of death.” |
|
[7] Psalm 112 ends with a “terminative term” –
perish. Other Psalms ending with
“terminative terms” are 1 [perish]; 15
[forever]; 16 [forever]; 18 [forever]; 23 [forever]; 28 [forever]; 39 [and am
no more]; 45 [forever and ever]; 48 [until death]; 49 [perish]; 56 [life]; 57
[Your glory]; 88 [darkness]; 111 [forever]; 115 [forever Praise Yah]; 121
[forever]; 131 [forever]; 133 [life forever]; 136 [His lovingkindness is
everlasting]; 138 [do not forsake]; 139 [in the everlasting way]; 145
[forever and ever]; 146 [to all generations Praise Yah]. |
