Psalms 112
Psalms 112
Psalms 112
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Psalms 112
| v.1 | H1984הָלַלPiel · Imperative · ImperativeH3372יָרֵאQal · ParticipleH2654חָפֵץQal · Perfect · Indicative |
| v.10 | H7200רָאָהQal · Imperfect · Indicative/jussiveH2786חָרַקQal · Imperfect · Indicative/jussiveH6אָבַדQal · Imperfect · Indicative/jussive |
| v.2 | H1961הָיָהQal · Imperfect · Indicative/jussiveH1288בָּרַךְPual · Imperfect · Indicative/jussive |
| v.3 | H5975עָמַדQal · Participle |
| v.4 | H2224זָרַחQal · Perfect · Indicative |
| v.5 | H2603חָנַןQal · ParticipleH3557כּוּלPilpel · Imperfective |
| v.6 | H4131מוֹטNiphal · Imperfect · Indicative/jussiveH1961הָיָהQal · Imperfect · Indicative/jussive |
| v.7 | H3372יָרֵאQal · Imperfect · Indicative/jussiveH3559כּוּןNiphal · ParticipleH982בָּטַחQal · Participle passive |
| v.8 | H5564סָמַךְQal · Participle passiveH3372יָרֵאQal · Imperfect · Indicative/jussiveH7200רָאָהQal · Imperfect · Indicative/jussive |
| v.9 | H6340פָּזַרPiel · Perfect · IndicativeH5414נָתַןQal · Perfect · IndicativeH5975עָמַדQal · ParticipleH7311רוּםQal · Imperfect · Indicative/jussive |
Aspect in Hebrew is grammatical form, not tense. Perfect = completed action; Imperfect = incomplete/ongoing. Stem modifies action type (Qal=simple, Niphal=passive, Piel=intensive).
Morphology: OSHB WLC (Open Scriptures, CC BY 4.0) · STEPBible TEHMC (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0)
Biblical flourishing is defined by relationship to God before material circumstances.
Material need receives active attention from the God-fearing person.
The psalm envisions a generation shaped by righteousness rather than private spirituality alone.
Mercy toward others is a central expression of the God-fearing life.
Obedience is portrayed as desired and cherished rather than merely imposed.
Desire opposed to God's will cannot secure lasting fulfillment.
The Lord's commandments provide objective moral shape to the blessed life.
Lending and ordinary affairs are governed by fairness rather than exploitation.
Hostile vexation at another's righteousness is exposed as morally deforming.
The canon develops wisdom's perishing-wicked contrast toward final judgment and enduring life with God.
Wisdom does not deny frightening circumstances but refuses their final rule.
Reverent covenant awe is the first mark of the blessed person.
The one enraged at righteous honor is himself portrayed as wasting away.
Trust in YHWH loosens possessiveness and anxiety around resources.
Wisdom expects faithfulness to bear fruit beyond the isolated individual.
Resources are used to benefit others rather than merely protect self-interest.
Christ offers forgiveness to the wicked who repent rather than leaving the warning as mere condemnation.
Canonical gospel development places obedient righteousness after God's saving grace rather than as its purchase price.
The NT explicitly places Psalm 112:9 inside grace-shaped generosity.
Canonical gospel development locates righteous conduct as fruit of saving grace.
The righteous person reflects graciousness and compassion in ethical creaturely form.
The lifted horn symbolizes strength and dignified vindication rather than self-promotion.
The wicked cannot control outcomes, secure permanence, or overthrow God's moral order.
The paired acrostics portray human character analogically reflecting God's gracious compassion.
The perishing of wicked desire anticipates the moral certainty of divine judgment.
The adversary motif assumes that opposition will ultimately be answered under God's moral order.
Jesus' beatitudes clarify that true blessing can persist through suffering and material loss.
Wealth is subordinate to righteousness and later becomes a resource for generosity.
Righteous conduct has enduring moral significance beyond immediate success.
Wicked desire and hostility exist under God's moral order and do not possess an enduring future.
A settled heart remains faithful across bad reports, fear, opposition, and economic decisions.
The righteous life is not finally defined by the hostility of its observers.
Household provision and strength are received as gifts under God's ordered care.
The psalm expects adversity while confessing that light can arise for the upright.
Canonical development turns the warning toward a summons to turn from wicked desire while mercy remains.
The verse derives its force from contrast with righteousness that endures forever.
The wise life is not finally overturned by changing circumstances.
The righteous person orders resources, decisions, and obligations with justice.
The righteous heart is established because it rests in YHWH.
Wisdom distinguishes the durable path of righteousness from the perishing trajectory of wickedness.
Godly wisdom produces moral straightness rather than sinless perfection.
Fear, delight, household life, resources, and righteousness are integrated within wisdom.
C.F. Keil & F. Delitzsch, Commentary on the Old Testament (1861–91) — public domain
The Biblical World
Passages
Chapter opening: Psalms 112:1-3
Psa 112:1-10 As in the preceding Psalm. Psa 112:1 here also sets forth the theme of that which follows. What is there said in Psa 112:3 concerning the righteousness of God, Psa 112:3 here says of the righteousness of him who fears God: this also standeth fast for ever, it is indeed the copy of the divine, it is the work and gift of God (Psa 24:5), inasmuch as God’s salutary action and behaviour, laid hold of in faith, works a like form of action and behaviour to it in man, which, as Psa 112:9 says, is, according to its nature, love.
The promise in Psa 112:4 sounds like Isa 60:2. Hengstenberg renders: “There ariseth in the darkness light to the upright who is gracious and compassionate and just. ” But this is impossible as a matter of style. The three adjectives (as in Psa 111:4, pointing back to Exo 34:6, cf. Psa 145:8; Psa 116:5) are a mention of God according to His attributes. חנּוּן and רחוּם never take the article in Biblical Hebrew, and צדּיק follows their examples here (cf.
on the contrary, Exo 9:27). God Himself is the light which arises in darkness for those who are sincere in their dealings with Him; He is the Sun of righteousness with wings of rays dispensing “grace” and “tender mercies,” Mal 4:2. The fact that He arises for those who are compassionate as He is compassionate, is evident from Psa 112:5. טוב being, as in Isa 3:10; Jer 44:17, intended of well-being, prosperity, טּוב אישׁ is here equivalent to אשׁרי אישׁ, which is rendered טוּביהּ דּגברא in Targumic phrase.
חונן signifies, as in Psa 37:26, Psa 37:21, one who charitably dispenses his gifts around. Psa 112:5 is not an extension of the picture of virtue, but, as in Psa 127:5 , a promissory prospect: he will uphold in integrity (בּמשׁפּט, Psa 72:2, Isa 9:7, and frequently), or rather (= בּמּשׁפּט) in the cause (Psa 143:2, Pro 24:23, and frequently), the things which depend upon him, or with which he has to do; for כּלכּל, sustinere , signifies to sustain, i.
e. , to nourish, to sustain, i. e. , endure, and also to support, maintain, i. e. , carry through. This is explanatorily confirmed in Psa 112:6 : he stands, as a general thing, imperturbably fast. And when he dies he becomes the object of everlasting remembrance, his name is still blessed (Pro 10:7). Because he has a cheerful conscience, his heart too is not disconcerted by any evil tidings (Jer 49:23): it remains נכון, erect, straight and firm, without suffering itself to bend or warp; בּטח בּה, full of confidence (passive, “in the sense of a passive state after a completed action of the person himself,” like זכוּר, Psa 103:14); סמוּך, stayed in itself and established.
The last two designations are taken from Isa 26:3, where it is the church of the last times that is spoken of. Psa 91:8 gives us information with reference to the meaning of ראה בצריו; עד, as in Psa 94:13, of the inevitable goal, on this side of which he remains undismayed. 2Co 9:9, where Paul makes use of Psa 112:9 of the Psalm before us as an encouragement to Christian beneficence, shows how little the assertion “his righteousness standeth for ever” is opposed to the New Testament consciousness.
פּזּר of giving away liberally and in manifold ways, as in Pro 11:24. רוּם, Psa 112:9 , stands in opposition to the egoistical הרים in Psa 75:5 as a vegetative sprouting up (Psa 132:17). The evil-doer must see this, and confounded, vex himself over it; he gnashes his teeth with the rage of envy and chagrin, and melts away, i. e. , loses consistency, becomes unhinged, dies off (נמס, 3d praet.
Niph . as in Exo 16:21, pausal form of נמס = נמס). How often has he desired the ruin of him whom he must now see in honour! The tables are turned; this and his ungodly desire in general come to nought, inasmuch as the opposite is realized. On יראה, with its self-evident object, cf. Mic 7:10. Concerning the pausal form וכעס, vid. , Psa 93:1. Hupfeld wishes to read תּקות after Psa 9:19, Pro 10:28.
In defence of the traditional reading, Hitzig rightly points to Pro 10:24 together with Pro 10:28.
Psa 112:1-10 As in the preceding Psalm. Psa 112:1 here also sets forth the theme of that which follows. What is there said in Psa 112:3 concerning the righteousness of God, Psa 112:3 here says of the righteousness of him who fears God: this also standeth fast for ever, it is indeed the copy of the divine, it is the work and gift of God (Psa 24:5), inasmuch as God’s salutary action and behaviour, laid hold of in faith, works a like form of action and behaviour to it in man, which, as Psa 112:9 says, is, according to its nature, love.
The promise in Psa 112:4 sounds like Isa 60:2. Hengstenberg renders: “There ariseth in the darkness light to the upright who is gracious and compassionate and just. ” But this is impossible as a matter of style. The three adjectives (as in Psa 111:4, pointing back to Exo 34:6, cf. Psa 145:8; Psa 116:5) are a mention of God according to His attributes. חנּוּן and רחוּם never take the article in Biblical Hebrew, and צדּיק follows their examples here (cf.
on the contrary, Exo 9:27). God Himself is the light which arises in darkness for those who are sincere in their dealings with Him; He is the Sun of righteousness with wings of rays dispensing “grace” and “tender mercies,” Mal 4:2. The fact that He arises for those who are compassionate as He is compassionate, is evident from Psa 112:5. טוב being, as in Isa 3:10; Jer 44:17, intended of well-being, prosperity, טּוב אישׁ is here equivalent to אשׁרי אישׁ, which is rendered טוּביהּ דּגברא in Targumic phrase.
חונן signifies, as in Psa 37:26, Psa 37:21, one who charitably dispenses his gifts around. Psa 112:5 is not an extension of the picture of virtue, but, as in Psa 127:5 , a promissory prospect: he will uphold in integrity (בּמשׁפּט, Psa 72:2, Isa 9:7, and frequently), or rather (= בּמּשׁפּט) in the cause (Psa 143:2, Pro 24:23, and frequently), the things which depend upon him, or with which he has to do; for כּלכּל, sustinere , signifies to sustain, i.
e. , to nourish, to sustain, i. e. , endure, and also to support, maintain, i. e. , carry through. This is explanatorily confirmed in Psa 112:6 : he stands, as a general thing, imperturbably fast. And when he dies he becomes the object of everlasting remembrance, his name is still blessed (Pro 10:7). Because he has a cheerful conscience, his heart too is not disconcerted by any evil tidings (Jer 49:23): it remains נכון, erect, straight and firm, without suffering itself to bend or warp; בּטח בּה, full of confidence (passive, “in the sense of a passive state after a completed action of the person himself,” like זכוּר, Psa 103:14); סמוּך, stayed in itself and established.
The last two designations are taken from Isa 26:3, where it is the church of the last times that is spoken of. Psa 91:8 gives us information with reference to the meaning of ראה בצריו; עד, as in Psa 94:13, of the inevitable goal, on this side of which he remains undismayed. 2Co 9:9, where Paul makes use of Psa 112:9 of the Psalm before us as an encouragement to Christian beneficence, shows how little the assertion “his righteousness standeth for ever” is opposed to the New Testament consciousness.
פּזּר of giving away liberally and in manifold ways, as in Pro 11:24. רוּם, Psa 112:9 , stands in opposition to the egoistical הרים in Psa 75:5 as a vegetative sprouting up (Psa 132:17). The evil-doer must see this, and confounded, vex himself over it; he gnashes his teeth with the rage of envy and chagrin, and melts away, i. e. , loses consistency, becomes unhinged, dies off (נמס, 3d praet.
Niph . as in Exo 16:21, pausal form of נמס = נמס). How often has he desired the ruin of him whom he must now see in honour! The tables are turned; this and his ungodly desire in general come to nought, inasmuch as the opposite is realized. On יראה, with its self-evident object, cf. Mic 7:10. Concerning the pausal form וכעס, vid. , Psa 93:1. Hupfeld wishes to read תּקות after Psa 9:19, Pro 10:28.
In defence of the traditional reading, Hitzig rightly points to Pro 10:24 together with Pro 10:28.
Psa 112:1-10 As in the preceding Psalm. Psa 112:1 here also sets forth the theme of that which follows. What is there said in Psa 112:3 concerning the righteousness of God, Psa 112:3 here says of the righteousness of him who fears God: this also standeth fast for ever, it is indeed the copy of the divine, it is the work and gift of God (Psa 24:5), inasmuch as God’s salutary action and behaviour, laid hold of in faith, works a like form of action and behaviour to it in man, which, as Psa 112:9 says, is, according to its nature, love.
The promise in Psa 112:4 sounds like Isa 60:2. Hengstenberg renders: “There ariseth in the darkness light to the upright who is gracious and compassionate and just. ” But this is impossible as a matter of style. The three adjectives (as in Psa 111:4, pointing back to Exo 34:6, cf. Psa 145:8; Psa 116:5) are a mention of God according to His attributes. חנּוּן and רחוּם never take the article in Biblical Hebrew, and צדּיק follows their examples here (cf.
on the contrary, Exo 9:27). God Himself is the light which arises in darkness for those who are sincere in their dealings with Him; He is the Sun of righteousness with wings of rays dispensing “grace” and “tender mercies,” Mal 4:2. The fact that He arises for those who are compassionate as He is compassionate, is evident from Psa 112:5. טוב being, as in Isa 3:10; Jer 44:17, intended of well-being, prosperity, טּוב אישׁ is here equivalent to אשׁרי אישׁ, which is rendered טוּביהּ דּגברא in Targumic phrase.
חונן signifies, as in Psa 37:26, Psa 37:21, one who charitably dispenses his gifts around. Psa 112:5 is not an extension of the picture of virtue, but, as in Psa 127:5 , a promissory prospect: he will uphold in integrity (בּמשׁפּט, Psa 72:2, Isa 9:7, and frequently), or rather (= בּמּשׁפּט) in the cause (Psa 143:2, Pro 24:23, and frequently), the things which depend upon him, or with which he has to do; for כּלכּל, sustinere , signifies to sustain, i.
e. , to nourish, to sustain, i. e. , endure, and also to support, maintain, i. e. , carry through. This is explanatorily confirmed in Psa 112:6 : he stands, as a general thing, imperturbably fast. And when he dies he becomes the object of everlasting remembrance, his name is still blessed (Pro 10:7). Because he has a cheerful conscience, his heart too is not disconcerted by any evil tidings (Jer 49:23): it remains נכון, erect, straight and firm, without suffering itself to bend or warp; בּטח בּה, full of confidence (passive, “in the sense of a passive state after a completed action of the person himself,” like זכוּר, Psa 103:14); סמוּך, stayed in itself and established.
The last two designations are taken from Isa 26:3, where it is the church of the last times that is spoken of. Psa 91:8 gives us information with reference to the meaning of ראה בצריו; עד, as in Psa 94:13, of the inevitable goal, on this side of which he remains undismayed. 2Co 9:9, where Paul makes use of Psa 112:9 of the Psalm before us as an encouragement to Christian beneficence, shows how little the assertion “his righteousness standeth for ever” is opposed to the New Testament consciousness.
פּזּר of giving away liberally and in manifold ways, as in Pro 11:24. רוּם, Psa 112:9 , stands in opposition to the egoistical הרים in Psa 75:5 as a vegetative sprouting up (Psa 132:17). The evil-doer must see this, and confounded, vex himself over it; he gnashes his teeth with the rage of envy and chagrin, and melts away, i. e. , loses consistency, becomes unhinged, dies off (נמס, 3d praet.
Niph . as in Exo 16:21, pausal form of נמס = נמס). How often has he desired the ruin of him whom he must now see in honour! The tables are turned; this and his ungodly desire in general come to nought, inasmuch as the opposite is realized. On יראה, with its self-evident object, cf. Mic 7:10. Concerning the pausal form וכעס, vid. , Psa 93:1. Hupfeld wishes to read תּקות after Psa 9:19, Pro 10:28.
In defence of the traditional reading, Hitzig rightly points to Pro 10:24 together with Pro 10:28.
Psa 112:1-10 As in the preceding Psalm. Psa 112:1 here also sets forth the theme of that which follows. What is there said in Psa 112:3 concerning the righteousness of God, Psa 112:3 here says of the righteousness of him who fears God: this also standeth fast for ever, it is indeed the copy of the divine, it is the work and gift of God (Psa 24:5), inasmuch as God’s salutary action and behaviour, laid hold of in faith, works a like form of action and behaviour to it in man, which, as Psa 112:9 says, is, according to its nature, love.
The promise in Psa 112:4 sounds like Isa 60:2. Hengstenberg renders: “There ariseth in the darkness light to the upright who is gracious and compassionate and just. ” But this is impossible as a matter of style. The three adjectives (as in Psa 111:4, pointing back to Exo 34:6, cf. Psa 145:8; Psa 116:5) are a mention of God according to His attributes. חנּוּן and רחוּם never take the article in Biblical Hebrew, and צדּיק follows their examples here (cf.
on the contrary, Exo 9:27). God Himself is the light which arises in darkness for those who are sincere in their dealings with Him; He is the Sun of righteousness with wings of rays dispensing “grace” and “tender mercies,” Mal 4:2. The fact that He arises for those who are compassionate as He is compassionate, is evident from Psa 112:5. טוב being, as in Isa 3:10; Jer 44:17, intended of well-being, prosperity, טּוב אישׁ is here equivalent to אשׁרי אישׁ, which is rendered טוּביהּ דּגברא in Targumic phrase.
חונן signifies, as in Psa 37:26, Psa 37:21, one who charitably dispenses his gifts around. Psa 112:5 is not an extension of the picture of virtue, but, as in Psa 127:5 , a promissory prospect: he will uphold in integrity (בּמשׁפּט, Psa 72:2, Isa 9:7, and frequently), or rather (= בּמּשׁפּט) in the cause (Psa 143:2, Pro 24:23, and frequently), the things which depend upon him, or with which he has to do; for כּלכּל, sustinere , signifies to sustain, i.
e. , to nourish, to sustain, i. e. , endure, and also to support, maintain, i. e. , carry through. This is explanatorily confirmed in Psa 112:6 : he stands, as a general thing, imperturbably fast. And when he dies he becomes the object of everlasting remembrance, his name is still blessed (Pro 10:7). Because he has a cheerful conscience, his heart too is not disconcerted by any evil tidings (Jer 49:23): it remains נכון, erect, straight and firm, without suffering itself to bend or warp; בּטח בּה, full of confidence (passive, “in the sense of a passive state after a completed action of the person himself,” like זכוּר, Psa 103:14); סמוּך, stayed in itself and established.
The last two designations are taken from Isa 26:3, where it is the church of the last times that is spoken of. Psa 91:8 gives us information with reference to the meaning of ראה בצריו; עד, as in Psa 94:13, of the inevitable goal, on this side of which he remains undismayed. 2Co 9:9, where Paul makes use of Psa 112:9 of the Psalm before us as an encouragement to Christian beneficence, shows how little the assertion “his righteousness standeth for ever” is opposed to the New Testament consciousness.
פּזּר of giving away liberally and in manifold ways, as in Pro 11:24. רוּם, Psa 112:9 , stands in opposition to the egoistical הרים in Psa 75:5 as a vegetative sprouting up (Psa 132:17). The evil-doer must see this, and confounded, vex himself over it; he gnashes his teeth with the rage of envy and chagrin, and melts away, i. e. , loses consistency, becomes unhinged, dies off (נמס, 3d praet.
Niph . as in Exo 16:21, pausal form of נמס = נמס). How often has he desired the ruin of him whom he must now see in honour! The tables are turned; this and his ungodly desire in general come to nought, inasmuch as the opposite is realized. On יראה, with its self-evident object, cf. Mic 7:10. Concerning the pausal form וכעס, vid. , Psa 93:1. Hupfeld wishes to read תּקות after Psa 9:19, Pro 10:28.
In defence of the traditional reading, Hitzig rightly points to Pro 10:24 together with Pro 10:28.
Psa 112:1-10 As in the preceding Psalm. Psa 112:1 here also sets forth the theme of that which follows. What is there said in Psa 112:3 concerning the righteousness of God, Psa 112:3 here says of the righteousness of him who fears God: this also standeth fast for ever, it is indeed the copy of the divine, it is the work and gift of God (Psa 24:5), inasmuch as God’s salutary action and behaviour, laid hold of in faith, works a like form of action and behaviour to it in man, which, as Psa 112:9 says, is, according to its nature, love.
The promise in Psa 112:4 sounds like Isa 60:2. Hengstenberg renders: “There ariseth in the darkness light to the upright who is gracious and compassionate and just. ” But this is impossible as a matter of style. The three adjectives (as in Psa 111:4, pointing back to Exo 34:6, cf. Psa 145:8; Psa 116:5) are a mention of God according to His attributes. חנּוּן and רחוּם never take the article in Biblical Hebrew, and צדּיק follows their examples here (cf.
on the contrary, Exo 9:27). God Himself is the light which arises in darkness for those who are sincere in their dealings with Him; He is the Sun of righteousness with wings of rays dispensing “grace” and “tender mercies,” Mal 4:2. The fact that He arises for those who are compassionate as He is compassionate, is evident from Psa 112:5. טוב being, as in Isa 3:10; Jer 44:17, intended of well-being, prosperity, טּוב אישׁ is here equivalent to אשׁרי אישׁ, which is rendered טוּביהּ דּגברא in Targumic phrase.
חונן signifies, as in Psa 37:26, Psa 37:21, one who charitably dispenses his gifts around. Psa 112:5 is not an extension of the picture of virtue, but, as in Psa 127:5 , a promissory prospect: he will uphold in integrity (בּמשׁפּט, Psa 72:2, Isa 9:7, and frequently), or rather (= בּמּשׁפּט) in the cause (Psa 143:2, Pro 24:23, and frequently), the things which depend upon him, or with which he has to do; for כּלכּל, sustinere , signifies to sustain, i.
e. , to nourish, to sustain, i. e. , endure, and also to support, maintain, i. e. , carry through. This is explanatorily confirmed in Psa 112:6 : he stands, as a general thing, imperturbably fast. And when he dies he becomes the object of everlasting remembrance, his name is still blessed (Pro 10:7). Because he has a cheerful conscience, his heart too is not disconcerted by any evil tidings (Jer 49:23): it remains נכון, erect, straight and firm, without suffering itself to bend or warp; בּטח בּה, full of confidence (passive, “in the sense of a passive state after a completed action of the person himself,” like זכוּר, Psa 103:14); סמוּך, stayed in itself and established.
The last two designations are taken from Isa 26:3, where it is the church of the last times that is spoken of. Psa 91:8 gives us information with reference to the meaning of ראה בצריו; עד, as in Psa 94:13, of the inevitable goal, on this side of which he remains undismayed. 2Co 9:9, where Paul makes use of Psa 112:9 of the Psalm before us as an encouragement to Christian beneficence, shows how little the assertion “his righteousness standeth for ever” is opposed to the New Testament consciousness.
פּזּר of giving away liberally and in manifold ways, as in Pro 11:24. רוּם, Psa 112:9 , stands in opposition to the egoistical הרים in Psa 75:5 as a vegetative sprouting up (Psa 132:17). The evil-doer must see this, and confounded, vex himself over it; he gnashes his teeth with the rage of envy and chagrin, and melts away, i. e. , loses consistency, becomes unhinged, dies off (נמס, 3d praet.
Niph . as in Exo 16:21, pausal form of נמס = נמס). How often has he desired the ruin of him whom he must now see in honour! The tables are turned; this and his ungodly desire in general come to nought, inasmuch as the opposite is realized. On יראה, with its self-evident object, cf. Mic 7:10. Concerning the pausal form וכעס, vid. , Psa 93:1. Hupfeld wishes to read תּקות after Psa 9:19, Pro 10:28.
In defence of the traditional reading, Hitzig rightly points to Pro 10:24 together with Pro 10:28.
With this Psalm begins the Hallel , which is recited at the three great feasts, at the feast of the Dedication ( Chanucca ) and at the new moons, and not on New Year’s day and the day of Atonement, because a cheerful song of praise does not harmonize with the mournful solemnity of these days. And they are recited only in fragments during the last days of the Passover, for “my creatures, saith the Holy One, blessed be He, were drowned in the sea, and ought ye to break out into songs of rejoicing?
” In the family celebration of the Passover night it is divided into two parts, the one half, Psa 113:1-9, Psa 114:1-8, being sung before the repast, before the emptying of the second festal cup, and the other half, Psa 115:1, after the repast, after the filling of the fourth cup, to which the humnee'santes (Mat 26:30; Mar 14:26) after the institution of the Lord’s Supper, which was connected with the fourth festal cup, may refer. Paulus Burgensis styles Psa 113:1 Alleluja Judaeorum magnum .
This designation is also frequently found elsewhere. But according to the prevailing custom, Psa 113:1, and more particularly Psa 115:1, are called only Hallel , and Ps 136, with its “for His mercy endureth for ever” repeated twenty-six times, bears the name of “ the Great Hallel ” (הלּל הגּדול). A heaping up, without example elsewhere, of the so-called Chirek compaginis is peculiar to Psa 113:1-9.
Gesenius and others call the connecting vowels i and o (in proper names also u ) the remains of old case terminations; with the former the Arabic genitive termination is compared, and with the latter the Arabic nominative termination. But in opposition to this it has been rightly observed, that this i and o are not attached to the dependent word (the genitive), but to the governing word.
According to the more probable view of Ewald, §211, i and o are equivalent connecting vowels which mark the relation of the genitive case, and are to be explained from the original oneness of the Semitic and Indo-Germanic languages. The i is found most frequently appended to the first member of the stat. constr . , and both to the masc . , viz. , in Deu 33:16; Zec 11:17 (perhaps twice, vid.
, Köhler in loc .) , and to the femin . , viz. , in Gen 31:39; Psa 110:4; Isa 1:21. Lev 26:42; Psa 116:1 hardly belong here. Then this i is also frequently found when the second member of the stat. constr. has a preposition, and this preposition is consequently in process of being resolved: Gen 49:11; Exo 15:6, Oba 1:3 (Jer 49:16), Hos 10:11; Lam 1:1; Psa 123:1, and perhaps Sol 1:9.
Also in the Chethîb , Jer 22:23; Jer 51:13; Eze 27:3. Thirdly, where a word stands between the two notions that belong together according to the genitival relation, and the stat. construct. is consequently really resolved: Psa 101:5; Isa 22:16; Mic 7:14. It is the same i which is found in a great many proper names, both Israelitish, e. g. , Gamaliel (benefit of God), and Phoenician, e.
g. , Melchizedek, Hanniba‛al (the favour of Baal), and is also added to many Hebrew prepositions, like בּלתּי (where the i however can, according to the context, also be a pronominal suffix), זוּלתי (where i can likewise be a suffix), מנּי (poetical). In אפסי, on the other hand, the i is always a suffix. The tone of the i only retreats in accordance with rhythmical rule (vid.
, Psa 110:4), otherwise i is always accented. Psa 112:8 shows how our Psa 113:1-9 in particular delights in this ancient i , where it is even affixed to the infinitive as an ornament, a thing which occurs nowhere else, so that להושׁיבי excites the suspicion of being written in error for להושׁיבו. Among those things which make God worthy to be praised the Psalm gives prominence to the condescension of the infinitely exalted One towards the lowly one.
It is the lowliness of God lowering itself fro the exaltation of the lowly which performs its utmost in the work of redemption. Thus it becomes explicable that Mary in her Magnificat breaks forth into the same strain with the song of Hannah (1 Sam. 2) and this Psalm.
Psa 113:1-3 The call, not limited by any addition as in Psa 134:1, or eve, after the manner of Psa 103:20. , extended over the earth, is given to the whole of the true Israel that corresponds to its election by grace and is faithful to its mission; and its designation by “servants of Jahve” (Ps 69:37, cf. Ps 34:23), or even “servant of Jahve” (Psa 136:22), has come into vogue more especially through the second part of Isaiah.
This Israel is called upon to praise Jahve; for the praise and celebration of His Name, i. e. , of His nature, which is disclosed by means of its manifestation, is a principal element, yea, the proper ground and aim, of the service, and shall finally become that which fills all time and all space. מהלּל laudatum ( est ), is equivalent to ἀινετόν, laudabile (lxx, Vulgate), and this does not differ greatly from laudetur .
The predictive interpretation laudabitur is opposed to the context (cf. moreover Köhler on Mal 1:11).
Psa 113:1-3 The call, not limited by any addition as in Psa 134:1, or eve, after the manner of Psa 103:20. , extended over the earth, is given to the whole of the true Israel that corresponds to its election by grace and is faithful to its mission; and its designation by “servants of Jahve” (Ps 69:37, cf. Ps 34:23), or even “servant of Jahve” (Psa 136:22), has come into vogue more especially through the second part of Isaiah.
This Israel is called upon to praise Jahve; for the praise and celebration of His Name, i. e. , of His nature, which is disclosed by means of its manifestation, is a principal element, yea, the proper ground and aim, of the service, and shall finally become that which fills all time and all space. מהלּל laudatum ( est ), is equivalent to ἀινετόν, laudabile (lxx, Vulgate), and this does not differ greatly from laudetur .
The predictive interpretation laudabitur is opposed to the context (cf. moreover Köhler on Mal 1:11).
Psa 113:4-6 This praiseworthiness is now confirmed. The opening reminds one of Psa 99:2. Pasek stands between גוים and יהוה in order to keep them apart. The totality of the nations is great, but Jahve is raised above it; the heavens are glorious, but Jahve’s glory is exalted above them. It is not to be explained according to Psa 148:13; but according to Psa 57:6, 12, רם belongs to Psa 113:4 too as predicate.
He is the incomparable One who has set up His throne in the height, but at the same time directs His gaze deep downwards (expression according to Ges. §142, rem. 1) in the heavens and upon earth, i. e. , nothing in all the realm of the creatures that are beneath Him escapes His sight, and nothing is so low that it remains unnoticed by Him; on the contrary, it is just that which is lowly, as the following strophe presents to us in a series of portraits so to speak, that is the special object of His regard.
The structure of Psa 113:5-6 militates against the construction of “in the heavens and upon the earth” with the interrogatory “who is like unto Jahve our God? ” after Deu 3:24.