Ps 112:1 Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, Who delights greatly in His commandments.

I. God should be Praised because He Blesses His Wise People

Ps 1:1  Blessed is the man…walks not…2  his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day & night. (cf Ps 15)

Dt 28:2  all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the LORD your God: Gen 1:28; Gen 12

The God Who loves to bless reveals/glorifies Himself by blessing those in a position to be blessed. (the spot where He’s trying to move us)

II. Blessable People Wisely Fear the Lord (Beginning of Wisdom Ps 111:10) and Delight in His Word

Pr 2:4-5 If search…as for hidden treasures; Then you will understand the fear of the LORD [beginning of wisdom], find knowledge of God.

   Ps 119:97 Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.  [thinking thru implications for applications- Josh 1:8]

98  You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; For they are ever with me.

99  I have more understanding than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation

100  I understand more than the ancients,  Because I keep Your precepts.

101 I have restrained my feet   from every evil way,   That I may keep Your word.

102 I have not departed from Your judgments, For You Yourself have taught me.

103 How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth!

104 Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way.

Jer 15:16  Your words were found, and I ate them, And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; For I am called by Your name, O LORD

Isa 66:2 ……"But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, And who trembles at My word. 4 So will I choose their delusions, And bring their fears on them; Because, when I called, no one answered, When I spoke they did not hear; But they did evil before My eyes, And chose that in which I do not delight."   NT Fear of God: 1Pt  1:17, 2:17,  2Cor 7:1; Eph 5:21;  Phil 2:12;  Heb 4:1, 12:28;  Rm 3:18

III. Blessable People Experience the Blessings of Wisdom

A. Stuff/Prosperity (wealth with righteousness and godly kids who bless others)

112:2  His descendants will be mighty on earth; The dwelling/generation of the upright will be blessed.

3  Wealth and riches will be in his house, And his righteousness endures forever.

B. Sunshine (absorbs and reflects the character/person/presence of God)

4  Unto the upright (pl) there arises light in the darkness; gracious (sg), and full of compassion, and righteous.

5  A good man deals graciously and lends; He will guide his affairs with discretion.

C. Security (no circumstantial/emotional roller coaster through the scary forest)

6  Surely he will never be shaken; The righteous will be in everlasting remembrance.

7  He will not be afraid of evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.

8  His heart is established; He will not be afraid, Until he sees his desire upon his enemies.

MHC OLB It is the duty and interest of the people of God not to be afraid of evil tidings, not to be afraid of hearing bad news; and, when they do,  not to be put into confusion by it and into an amazing expectation of worse and worse,  but whatever happens,  whatever threatens,  to be able to say,  with blessed Paul,  None of these things move me,  neither will I fear,  though the earth be removed, #Ps 46:2,6.

D. Significance/Honor  (honor through service of other’s needs)

9  He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; (cf 2Cor 9:9)

His righteousness endures forever; His horn/power will be exalted with honor.

E. Satisfaction (ellipsis: Fulfillment of Desire cf 145:16)

10 The wicked will see it and be grieved; He will gnash his teeth and melt away;

The desire of the wicked shall perish.

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. Why don’t all Christians automatically fall in love with God’s Word/Commandments? What can help develop desire for His communication?

2. Why do some see a paradox between fearing and loving God?  How does Biblical love differ from cultural conceptions of love?

3. Are God’s blessings random acts of benevolence or is there a discernable purpose and method in bestowing His goodness and grace?

4. Which of the blessings listed above would you most like to increase in your life? How can you go about securing them?

5. How can you increase your appetite for God’s Word this week? In what areas do you need to go on a diet?