A Psalm I prayed through today is Ps. 112. It is a Psalm of Orientation–one of the Psalms which addresses the routine, ordinary, and day-to-day aspects of life. This particular Psalm focuses on Wisdom–celebrating the way in which God has created a world that seems to function in such a wise way.
The specific wisdom the author celebrates is found in vs. 1 – “Blessed are those who fear the LORD, who find great delight in his commands.” Those who adopt such a fundamental posture in their life–humility and reverence before God and enthusiastic pursuit of God’s way of life–can (in general) expect the following:
- Children who live fruitfully (vs. 3)
- Abundant resources for living (vs. 3)
- Light in the darkness (vs.4)
- Remembrance from others (vs. 6)
- No fear (vs. 7)
It is challenging to note that at least twice the Psalm ties together “fearing the LORD and finding great delight in his commands” with serving the poor (vv. 4, 9). It is in compassion toward the needy that our fear of God and pursuit of his way of life is most fully expressed.
