Wednesday, September 21, 2011

psalm 111 & psalm 112

When you look at Psalm 111 and compare that with Psalm 112, you see that similarities clearly exist.

1. They are both acrostics — that means each line of the psalm begins with the next letter in the Hebrew alphabet (sort of like a psalm that goes from A-Z).

2. Similar language can be seen throughout both psalms. For instance, both psalms refer to the "fear of the LORD," the contrast between the righteous & the wicked, and the attributes of "graciousness, mercy, and righteousness."

One of the interesting features of these psalms is that Psalm 111 is about the Divine Character of God and Psalm 112 is about the Godly character of the man of God.

I want to bring to the frontground a particular element:

Psalm 111:4 זֵ֣כֶר עָ֭שָׂה לְנִפְלְאֹתָ֑יו חַנּ֖וּן וְרַח֣וּם יְהוָֽה׃ (He has made his works to be a remembrance; gracious and compassionate is Yahweh.)

Note the verbal similarities with:

Psalm 112:4 זָ֨רַ֤ח בַּחֹ֣שֶׁךְ א֖וֹר לַיְשָׁרִ֑ים חַנּ֖וּן וְרַח֣וּם וְצַדִּֽיק׃ (Light arises in darkness for the upright; gracious and compassionate and righteous is he.)

When read in context Psalm 111:4 clearly refers to Yahweh and His character. The text in Psalm 112:4 refers to the Godly man and his character. The point? When the man of God looks at, studies, and meditates on the character of God, he himself will begin to emulate the character of His Master.

Thus, when you study God and Who He is (Ps 111), the Godly man cannot help but be affected—internally and externally—by responding in holy fear, reverence, godliness, and graciousness (Ps 112).

Paul says it similarly in Ephesians 4:32-5:1

Ephesians 4:32-5:2 — Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.

I ask you: has your study of God (Ps 111) affected your reflection of God and being God's child (Ps 112)?