We don’t naturally think that fear and delight would be in the same sentence (Ps 112:1). But they’re twins!
Many of the psalms we have studied recently begin as Psalm 112 does: “Praise the Lord!” or “Hallelujah!” (v 1). But as noted, the psalmists not only tell us that we should praise the Lord, but how and why and when and what about. We’re then told what’s on his heart. He would like to paint a portrait of a blessed man. We have had other descriptions of the blessed man earlier in the Psalter. The holy man is blessed (Ps 1:1-3), and, thankfully, the forgiven man is blessed, too (Ps 32:1-2). Christ qualifies to be the blessed man of Psalm 1; by grace the rest of us can be the blessed ones of Psalm 32. The trusting man is blessed (Ps 34:8), as is the compassionate man (Ps 41:1). The chosen man is blessed (Ps 65:4), and the strengthened man is, as well (Ps 84:5). The instructed man is blessed (Ps 94:12), and now we read, “Blessed is the man who fears the Lord” (Ps 112:1). This seems to start a chain reaction. If I reverence the Lord, I will take what He says seriously (v 1). Consistency between what I believe and how I behave will inspire my family to do the same (v 2). Whatever his bank account balance, this will make him a rich man and extend his reach beyond death through coming generations (v 3). Goodness leads to graciousness. When God is generous with me, I can be gracious with others (vv 4-5). Such dealings lead to stability and to the respect and appreciation of others (vv 6-8). What he generously gives to others, like good seed sown, comes back to him in a bumper crop of honor (v 9). Those who oppose him or seek to do him harm will discover they are picking a fight against right (v 10), and right is might, not the other way around. What a delightful portrait of the blessed man!