Psalm 112:4 kjv
Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
Psalm 112:4 nkjv
Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness; He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
Psalm 112:4 niv
Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.
Psalm 112:4 esv
Light dawns in the darkness for the upright; he is gracious, merciful, and righteous.
Psalm 112:4 nlt
Light shines in the darkness for the godly.
They are generous, compassionate, and righteous.
Psalm 112 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 97:11 | Light dawns for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart. | Light for the righteous |
| Isa 9:2 | The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light... | Prophecy of Christ's light in darkness |
| John 1:4-5 | In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines... | Christ as the life-giving light |
| John 8:12 | Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world..." | Jesus as the ultimate source of light |
| 2 Pet 1:19 | And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do | God's word as a lamp in a dark place |
| Rev 21:23 | And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory... | God's presence as ultimate light |
| Ex 34:6-7 | The Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in... | God's attributes of grace and mercy |
| Ps 86:15 | But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and... | Reiterates God's character |
| Joel 2:13 | Rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for | Calls to repentance based on God's nature |
| Ps 1:1-3 | Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked... | Blessings for those delighting in God's law |
| Prov 4:18 | But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines... | Gradual increase of light for the righteous |
| Ps 37:23-24 | The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord... though he fall... | God's guidance and support for the upright |
| Ps 4:6 | Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord! | Prayer for divine favor and presence |
| Num 6:25-26 | The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you... | Priestly blessing for light and grace |
| Ps 30:5 | Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. | Hope after sorrow |
| Phil 2:15 | That you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish | Being light in a dark world |
| Rom 2:6-7 | He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by... | God's justice rewarding patient good-doers |
| Heb 4:16 | Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we | Access to grace and mercy in time of need |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation... | Called out of darkness into wonderful light |
| Mic 7:7 | But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my | Waiting for God as the hope |
| James 1:17 | Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from... | God as the unchanging source of all good |
| Ps 111:4 | He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious.. | Immediate context: God's gracious character |
| Ps 23:4 | Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear | God's presence in deepest darkness |
Psalm 112 verses
Psalm 112 4 Meaning
Psalm 112:4 declares that even in times of profound trouble or difficulty, divine understanding and favor are granted to those who live with integrity before God. This spiritual illumination and blessing are directly linked to God's inherent nature, as He is supremely gracious, compassionate, and just in His dealings.
Psalm 112 4 Context
Psalm 112 is an acrostic psalm, arranged alphabetically, mirroring the previous Psalm 111. While Psalm 111 extols the magnificent works and attributes of the Lord, Psalm 112 describes the blessings and character of the man who fears the Lord and delights in His commandments (Ps 112:1). This psalm presents an ideal of a righteous individual, whose life reflects God's own attributes. Verse 4 serves as a pivot point, elaborating on one significant blessing: divine intervention and revelation in difficult times, explicitly linking this light to God's unchanging nature. The "light" is not merely prosperity, but often spiritual understanding or a divine manifestation that alleviates suffering or provides direction amidst confusion, rooted in the Lord's consistent character.
Psalm 112 4 Word analysis
- אֹור (ʾôr - Light): This word signifies not only physical illumination but metaphorically represents salvation, joy, favor, understanding, divine guidance, and the manifestation of God's presence. In the Hebrew Bible, light often dispels darkness (Gen 1:3), which symbolizes distress, ignorance, chaos, or judgment. Here, it is the Lord's favorable disposition.
- זָרַח (zāraḥ - Dawns/Shines): Implies a breaking forth, a sudden, powerful, and unhindered appearance, much like the sun rising after night. It suggests an unexpected emergence of hope or clarity even while difficulties persist, rather than waiting for them to fully disappear. This verb emphasizes the active and initiating nature of divine intervention.
- בַּחֹשֶׁךְ (baḥōšeḵ - In the darkness): This prepositive phrase stresses that the light appears within the dark situation. "Darkness" signifies affliction, trouble, adversity, sorrow, despair, or overwhelming trials. It highlights God's power to intervene and provide comfort or direction exactly when it is most needed, amidst tribulation.
- לַיְשָׁרִים (layšārîm - For the upright): Refers to those whose moral and spiritual path is straight, honest, and in line with God's will. The term 'yashar' (upright) speaks to integrity, consistency in conduct, and adherence to covenantal faithfulness. The light is specifically designated for this group, indicating a conditional promise rooted in one's relationship and obedience to God.
- חַנּוּן (ḥannûn - Gracious): Derived from the root
ḥānan, meaning to show favor or to be kind. It conveys the idea of giving freely and without merit, an unearned kindness or benevolent disposition. This is a fundamental attribute of God, showcasing His generosity and undeserved kindness towards humanity. - וְרַחוּם (wəraḥûm - And Merciful/Compassionate): From the root
raḥam, deeply tied to empathy and a profound emotional connection, akin to a parent's love or pity. It denotes heartfelt pity, deep compassion, and tender care. This highlights God's intimate concern for the suffering of His people. - וְצַדִּיק (wəṣaddîq - And Righteous/Just): This term emphasizes God's perfect moral character, His integrity, and His absolute adherence to His own holy standards and justice. God's righteousness means He always acts consistently with His nature and promises, ensuring justice and fairness in His dealings, particularly towards those who are 'upright'.
- Words-group Analysis:
- "Light dawns in the darkness": This metaphorical pairing signifies divine revelation, guidance, hope, or deliverance appearing within profound trouble. It highlights the dynamic of divine intervention in seemingly hopeless situations, often unexpectedly and powerfully.
- "for the upright": Specifies the recipients of this divine light, underscoring that such favor is contingent on one's consistent walk with God, marked by integrity and faithfulness. It shows God's specific care for those who seek to obey Him.
- "gracious, merciful, and righteous is he": This declaration firmly roots the blessings given to the upright in God's unchanging, compassionate, and just character. It explains why the light appears: it is not random chance, but an expression of God's essential nature and His faithfulness to those who walk with Him. The "he" explicitly refers to the Lord, affirming His divine attributes as the foundation of these blessings.
Psalm 112 4 Bonus section
The repeated threefold description of God ("gracious, merciful, and righteous") closely echoes the ancient confessions of God's character found throughout the Old Testament (e.g., Ex 34:6, Neh 9:17, Joel 2:13), signifying an established theological understanding that underpins His dealings with humanity. This consistency of God's nature is the ultimate guarantee of the promises in this psalm. The "light" breaking through the "darkness" can also be seen as a foreshadowing of the coming of Christ, who is the "Light of the world" (John 8:12), breaking through humanity's spiritual and moral darkness for all who become "upright" through Him. This verse thus beautifully connects the Old Testament attributes of God with the New Testament revelation of salvation through Jesus Christ.
Psalm 112 4 Commentary
Psalm 112:4 provides a profound assurance to those who strive to live according to God's ways: amidst life's gravest challenges, a divine light—be it clarity, hope, or deliverance—will break through their "darkness." This blessing is not arbitrary but flows directly from God's perfect nature. Because He is intrinsically gracious, extending unmerited favor; merciful, having deep compassion; and righteous, acting with perfect justice and integrity, He unfailingly attends to the upright. This verse encourages steadfastness in faith, promising that even when all seems dim, the character of God guarantees that His light will penetrate the darkest hours for His faithful ones, manifesting His favor and bringing relief or understanding.