Psalm 112:5 kjv
A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.
Psalm 112:5 nkjv
A good man deals graciously and lends; He will guide his affairs with discretion.
Psalm 112:5 niv
Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice.
Psalm 112:5 esv
It is well with the man who deals generously and lends; who conducts his affairs with justice.
Psalm 112:5 nlt
Good comes to those who lend money generously
and conduct their business fairly.
Psalm 112 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 19:17 | Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed. | Generosity to the poor is an investment with God. |
| Prov 22:9 | Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor. | Blessings on generous sharers. |
| 2 Cor 9:7-8 | God loves a cheerful giver... and God is able to make all grace abound to you... | Divine provision for cheerful giving. |
| Deut 15:7-11 | Do not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother... you shall lend him sufficient for his need... | Command to lend generously to the poor. |
| Luke 6:34-35 | If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? ...lend, expecting nothing in return. | Lend selflessly, for a greater reward. |
| Matt 5:42 | Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. | Command for unrestricted generosity. |
| Ps 37:21 | The wicked borrows and does not repay, but the righteous is generous and gives. | Righteous are characterized by generosity. |
| Prov 28:27 | Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse. | Blessing and curse based on generosity. |
| Is 58:7-8 | Share your food with the hungry and provide the poor wanderer with shelter... then your light will break forth like the dawn. | Practical justice leads to divine light. |
| Ps 15:2 | He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart. | Foundation of righteous conduct. |
| Prov 10:9 | Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out. | Security for integrity in affairs. |
| Mic 6:8 | He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? | Summary of righteous requirements. |
| Prov 2:20 | So you will walk in the way of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous. | Guidance towards righteous paths. |
| Eph 4:28 | Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share... | Work honestly to enable sharing. |
| Rom 13:8 | Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. | Foundation of love in dealings. |
| Ps 112:1 | Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in His commandments! | Introduction to the blessed man's character. |
| Ps 1:1-3 | Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked... but his delight is in the law of the Lord... | Blessings of meditating on God's law. |
| Ps 37:3-4 | Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness... He will give you the desires of your heart. | Trust and good deeds for blessings. |
| Matt 6:33 | Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. | Priorities for divine provision. |
| Col 3:23-24 | Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. | Do all things with excellence unto the Lord. |
| Prov 3:9-10 | Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty. | Honoring God with resources leads to abundance. |
| 1 Tim 6:17-19 | Charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God... Do good, be rich in good works, generous and ready to share... | Counsel to the rich for generosity. |
Psalm 112 verses
Psalm 112 5 Meaning
Psalm 112:5 describes the ethical conduct of the righteous person, particularly in financial and practical matters. It states that blessings and well-being will come to an individual who embodies habitual generosity, freely lending to others, especially the needy, and consistently manages all aspects of their life and business with integrity and fairness according to God's standards. This verse emphasizes that true piety extends beyond spiritual acts into everyday ethical behavior.
Psalm 112 5 Context
Psalm 112 is part of a "Hallelujah" pair with Psalm 111, both praising God. While Psalm 111 focuses on the character and deeds of God, Psalm 112 delineates the blessings and characteristics of the righteous man who "fears the Lord" and "greatly delights in His commandments" (Ps 112:1). The entire psalm outlines how a life dedicated to God manifests in prosperity, reputation, spiritual strength, and enduring legacy. Verse 5 specifically illustrates practical aspects of this righteousness within the socio-economic context of ancient Israel. It sets ethical behavior, particularly financial integrity and compassion, as key indicators of one's reverence for God, distinguishing the blessed man from the covetous and oppressive practices common in surrounding cultures and even among some in Israel who disregarded the Mosaic Law's injunctions regarding justice and care for the vulnerable.
Psalm 112 5 Word analysis
- Good (טוֹב, ṭōḇ): Not just material prosperity, but well-being, favor, reputation, and divine approval. It encompasses a holistic flourishing that extends beyond mere temporal riches, often indicating what is pleasing to God and brings about blessings.
- will come to him (אִישׁ, ʾīš): Literally, "a man" or "a person" (אִישׁ טוֹב - "a good man"). The structure "Good man is he who..." frames it as an inherent quality and consequence. It emphasizes that this goodness is not something externally acquired but is a characteristic consequence of such actions.
- who is generous (חוֹנֵן, ḥōnēn): A participle from the root ḥānan, meaning to show favor, be gracious, or have mercy. This signifies a habitual, deep-seated character of compassion and grace, rather than a mere occasional act. It highlights a disposition of benevolence rooted in one's heart.
- and lends freely (וּמַלְוֶה, ūmalveh): "And one who lends." This particular form emphasizes the ongoing, active practice of lending, often to those in need, implying a willingness to share resources without the expectation of personal gain or crippling interest, as was often the case in commercial dealings or with the poor. It echoes the Old Testament command not to exact interest from the poor.
- who conducts (מְכַלְכֵּל, məḵallēl): A participle from kalkēl, meaning to sustain, manage, govern, maintain. This speaks to the consistent and orderly administration of one's affairs, whether personal, familial, or business-related. It implies thoughtful management and prudence.
- his affairs (דְּבָרָיו, dǝḇārāyw): "His words" or, more broadly in context, "his matters" or "his affairs." The Hebrew davar has a wide semantic range covering spoken words, deeds, matters, or business. Here, it refers to the entirety of one's dealings, responsibilities, and conduct in life.
- with justice (בְּמִשְׁפָּט, bəmišpāṭ): "With judgment," "with equity," "with fairness." This signifies conducting oneself according to what is right, fair, and equitable, especially in business dealings and interpersonal relations. It refers to adherence to God's standards of righteousness, reflecting impartiality and ethical behavior.
- "Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely": This phrase highlights the divine principle of reciprocity and blessing for benevolent action. It emphasizes proactive, sacrificial generosity, contrasting with selfish accumulation. The goodness is both an internal character trait and an external experience of divine favor and flourishing.
- "who conducts his affairs with justice": This completes the portrait of the righteous individual, extending ethical conduct from interpersonal generosity to the entirety of one's professional and personal management. It underscores that spiritual values must permeate practical, everyday dealings, ensuring integrity, fairness, and adherence to divine law in all aspects of life. It’s not just about giving charitably, but also how one acquires and manages wealth.
Psalm 112 5 Bonus section
The structure of Psalm 112 as an acrostic (though somewhat imperfect) indicates an intentional literary design, aiming to present a comprehensive, ordered, and memorable description of the righteous person's blessed life. The mirroring with Psalm 111 suggests that the human ethical character detailed in Psalm 112 is a reflection or imitation of God's character described in Psalm 111—God is gracious, compassionate, and just, and so too should His faithful servants be. This verse highlights the practical implications of a covenant relationship with God; ethical and economic justice are not secondary virtues but integral to true devotion. The emphasis on lending freely, rather than simply giving, could also imply facilitating self-sufficiency and empowerment for the borrower, aligning with wisdom literature's nuanced approach to aid. This virtue is critical for sustaining community welfare and avoiding social breakdown.
Psalm 112 5 Commentary
Psalm 112:5 succinctly describes a core characteristic of the blessed, God-fearing individual: proactive ethical engagement in the world. It presents a holistic picture where an inner disposition of grace (generosity) manifests outwardly in tangible acts of lending to those in need, and further, pervades all of one's daily life and professional dealings through unwavering justice. This isn't merely about charity; it's about righteous economic conduct and stewardship, demonstrating that faith impacts every sphere. Such a life not only blesses others but inevitably draws God's favor, ensuring a robust and good outcome—not necessarily material riches in isolation, but overall well-being, strong reputation, and stability. This ethical framework contrasts sharply with worldly avarice or injustice, showing that the pathway to true "good" lies in mirroring God's own generosity and justice. For instance, a person conducting affairs with justice would ensure fair wages, honorable contracts, and truthful communication, reflecting God's integrity in business; a person generous and lending freely would actively seek out opportunities to alleviate the burden of the poor or distressed, trusting God as their ultimate provider.