Psalm 112:2 kjv
His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.
Psalm 112:2 nkjv
His descendants will be mighty on earth; The generation of the upright will be blessed.
Psalm 112:2 niv
Their children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.
Psalm 112:2 esv
His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.
Psalm 112:2 nlt
Their children will be successful everywhere;
an entire generation of godly people will be blessed.
Psalm 112 2 Cross References
Verse | Text | Reference |
---|---|---|
Gen 12:2 | "I will make you into a great nation...and you will be a blessing." | God's promise of descendants and blessing. |
Gen 13:16 | "I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth..." | Promise of innumerable offspring. |
Gen 15:5 | "...Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to..." | Offspring numerous as stars. |
Deut 28:4 | "Blessed shall be the fruit of your womb..." | Blessing on children for obedience. |
Prov 10:7 | "The memory of the righteous is a blessing..." | Legacy of the righteous. |
Prov 20:7 | "The righteous who walks in his integrity—blessed are his children..." | Children blessed due to parent's integrity. |
Prov 11:21 | "Be assured, an evil person will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will be delivered." | Divine protection for righteous's children. |
Prov 11:28 | "Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf." | Righteousness brings flourishing, not riches. |
Ps 25:12-13 | "...his offspring shall inherit the land." | Offspring of the fearer of the Lord inherit. |
Ps 37:25-26 | "I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging..." | Sustenance for the children of the righteous. |
Ps 102:28 | "The children of your servants shall dwell secure; their offspring shall be established..." | God's faithfulness to servants' children. |
Ps 112:1 | "Blessed is the man who fears the Lord..." | Context: The man whose offspring is blessed. |
Ps 112:3 | "Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures..." | Material blessings and lasting righteousness. |
Mal 2:15 | "...God seeks godly offspring. So guard yourselves..." | Divine desire for righteous descendants. |
Matt 5:5 | "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." | Echoes "on earth" and blessings of righteousness. |
Luke 1:50 | "And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation." | Mercy extended through generations to God-fearers. |
Acts 2:39 | "For the promise is for you and for your children..." | Covenant promise includes future generations. |
Gal 3:7 | "Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham." | Spiritual descendants receive Abraham's blessing. |
2 Cor 9:6-8 | "...He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply..." | God supplies for those who sow generously. |
Heb 6:14 | "I will surely bless you and multiply your descendants." | God's confirmed oath to bless and multiply. |
Isa 44:3 | "For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring..." | God's Spirit promised to future generations. |
Ezek 37:25 | "My servant David shall be their prince forever, and their children..." | David's lineage and their children forever. |
1 Tim 6:6 | "Now godliness with contentment is great gain." | Emphasizes lasting value over fleeting riches. |
Ps 1:3 | "He is like a tree planted by streams of water, that yields its fruit..." | Metaphor for the flourishing of the righteous. |
Psalm 112 verses
Psalm 112 2 Meaning
Psalm 112:2 declares that the descendants of the person who reverently fears the Lord and delights in His commands will be influential and powerful on earth. It further promises that the lineage of the morally upright will receive divine blessing and favor across generations.
Psalm 112 2 Context
Psalm 112 is a wisdom psalm, directly linked to Psalm 111 through its acrostic structure and shared theme. Psalm 111 extols the greatness of God, specifically highlighting His works and righteousness. Psalm 112 then turns to the character and blessings of the person who fears this great God, thereby serving as an application of the fear of the Lord discussed in Psalm 111:10 ("The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom"). The chapter portrays an ideal person who delights in God's commands, demonstrating generosity, compassion, and justice. Verse 2 specifically promises the generational blessings bestowed upon such an individual and their descendants. Historically, in ancient Israelite culture, multi-generational continuity, numerous offspring, and tribal strength were significant markers of blessing and divine favor, contrasting with the precarious existence or barrenness often associated with God's disfavor or pagan deities.
Psalm 112 2 Word analysis
- His: Refers back to the "man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commandments" mentioned in Psalm 112:1. This is the source of the blessing described.
- offspring (Hebrew: זֶרַע - zera): Literally means "seed." This term is multifaceted, encompassing children, descendants, progeny, or posterity. Its significance here is deeply biblical, reflecting the covenant promises of abundant "seed" (e.g., to Abraham) as a sign of divine blessing, continuity of family lineage, and the preservation of faith and values through generations. It extends beyond immediate children to future generations.
- will be mighty (Hebrew: יִהְיֶה גִבּוֹר - yihyeh gibbor): "Gibbor" implies not merely physical strength, but often a person of influence, prominence, valor, or even wealth and social standing. It speaks of power and effectiveness within society. This "might" could manifest in leadership, courage, moral fortitude, or prosperity. It is a promise of substantial and notable impact in the world, differing from worldly "might" in its source and purpose.
- on earth (Hebrew: בָּאָרֶץ - ba'aretz): Signifies a tangible, real-world blessing, not just a spiritual or ethereal one. The impact and flourishing of the righteous person's lineage are visibly manifest within the temporal sphere, contributing to the well-being of the land or community.
- The generation (Hebrew: דּוֹר - dor): Refers to a span of time or the people living within it; a collective group of contemporaries or a succeeding age. It emphasizes the continuity of a particular cohort, extending the blessing beyond the individual's immediate children.
- of the upright (Hebrew: יְשָׁרִים - yesharim): Comes from the root meaning "straight," "right," or "just." It describes those who are morally righteous, honest, ethical, and follow God's ways. The quality of the descendants is rooted in the character of the parent, suggesting a legacy of righteousness being passed down.
- will be blessed (Hebrew: יְבֹרָךְ - y'vorakh): A passive verb indicating that the blessing originates from God. It encompasses favor, prosperity, well-being, happiness, and success in a holistic sense, divinely conferred.
Words-group analysis
- His offspring will be mighty on earth: This phrase links the personal integrity of the God-fearing individual directly to the power and prominence of their future lineage within their physical domain. The blessing isn't abstract but brings forth influential descendants who leave a mark on the world.
- The generation of the upright will be blessed: This emphasizes the communal and continuous nature of the blessing. It's not just "children" but "the generation" that benefits, implying a widespread and ongoing favor. Furthermore, it underscores the reason for the blessing: the uprightness (righteous character and conduct) cultivated and transmitted through the family line, confirming that God rewards a lineage committed to Him.
Psalm 112 2 Bonus section
The blessing in this verse stands in stark contrast to the fate of the wicked, often mentioned elsewhere in the Psalms (e.g., Ps 112:10) where their desire perishes. It implicitly suggests that worldly methods of securing legacy or power are inferior to the divine blessing received through righteousness. The emphasis on "seed" or "offspring" resonates throughout the entire biblical narrative, from the promise to Abraham, through the lineage of David, all the way to the ultimate "seed" – the Messiah. This verse serves as a micro-cosmic reflection of God's broader plan to bless the world through the faithful few, illustrating that faithfulness begets a powerful, enduring spiritual and even tangible heritage.
Psalm 112 2 Commentary
Psalm 112:2 is a profound affirmation of God's multi-generational blessing upon those who genuinely fear Him. It portrays a deep, enduring legacy that extends beyond the individual's lifetime. The "fear of the Lord" in this psalm is not terror, but a reverent submission to God's will, manifested by delighting in His commands. This inner posture produces outward righteousness and generosity (as described in later verses of Ps 112). Consequently, God bestows blessings not just upon the individual but powerfully upon their "offspring" and "generation." These descendants will be "mighty" — influential, successful, and impactful, not merely in terms of wealth, but often embodying strong moral character and contributing positively to society. The emphasis on "on earth" grounds the promise in tangible, lived experience. The "generation of the upright" reiterates that the integrity and devotion of the parents pave the way for a blessed future for their children, suggesting that a righteous foundation is pivotal for the continuation of divine favor across the ages. This verse highlights the profound spiritual inheritance that godly parents leave to their children and the enduring promise of God to bless a righteous lineage.