The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 112:7

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

Trust-triumph over fears.

"He will not be afraid of any evil tidings; for his heart standeth fast, and believeth in the Lord." The good man of this psalm is evidently also a rich man, and a man in high position, who can exert a wide influence. Such men are more especially exposed to the influence of evil tidings. Illustrate by the case of Job, to whom the messengers of evil came one after another. Or give cases of merchants whose whole fortune is embarked in some ship, and who receive tidings of its loss. Explain how sensitive the Stock Exchange is to the slightest rumor of evil. They who have nothing to lose are not affected by news of calamities, save in the way of sympathy. But the psalmist points out that the godly man is freed from undue fear concerning his earthly possessions, because he has a heavenly treasure which is in every way more precious to him, and concerning the safety of that treasure he need never have a fear.

I. EVIL TIDINGS MAY DISTRESS THE GODLY MAN. Piety never either changes or deadens natural feeling. It would be true to say that it even made natural feeling more keen and sensitive. Loss of money, place, influence, and health do distress pious men; and the triumph they may gain over themselves should never be allowed to deceive us. Their victory is seldom, if ever, an easy one.

II. EVIL TIDINGS CANNOT OVERWHELM THE GODLY MAN. Because he never stakes his all on any venture. Come what may, he has a reserve, and an abundantly satisfactory reserve. "Moth and rust may corrupt, thieves may break through and steal," but they never yet found the godly man's "heavenly treasure." It is not only that, take everything away, and he still has God. It is that, in having God, he potentially has everything; what he has lost is restored, if that is best; but certainly he has the "supply of all his needs."

III. EVIL TIDINGS DRIVE THE GODLY MAN CLOSER TO GOD. He has learned the lesson of trust; and he is sure to practice it in the time of need. His heart is fixed. Trouble does not make it waver, but binds it closer, fixes it firmer. Just as the little child sits close by father in the train, but presses closer when the train rushes into the dark tunnel. "His heart being fixed in solid reliance upon God, a change in his circumstances but slightly affects him. He can be patient, waiting for the salvation of God."—R.T.

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