Psalm 112:7 kjv
He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.
Psalm 112:7 nkjv
He will not be afraid of evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.
Psalm 112:7 niv
They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD.
Psalm 112:7 esv
He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.
Psalm 112:7 nlt
They do not fear bad news;
they confidently trust the LORD to care for them.
Psalm 112 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 3:5-6 | Trust in the Lord with all your heart... He will make straight your paths. | Relying on God with whole heart leads to clear path. |
| Ps 23:4 | Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil... | Fearlessness in peril due to God's close presence. |
| Ps 27:1 | The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? | God as the ultimate source of courage and safety. |
| Is 26:3-4 | You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. | Divine peace for minds focused on God in trust. |
| Is 41:10 | Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God... | God's assuring presence removes fear and dismay. |
| Ps 46:1-3 | God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble... we will not fear... | God as protector enables enduring steadfastness. |
| Jer 17:7-8 | Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord... | Blessings on those whose confidence is God. |
| Nah 1:7 | The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him. | God as a reliable, secure refuge in distress. |
| John 16:33 | In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. | Forewarning of hardship but exhortation to courage. |
| Rom 8:31 | If God is for us, who can be against us? | God's backing renders all opposition futile. |
| Phil 4:6-7 | Do not be anxious about anything... And the peace of God... will guard your hearts and minds... | Freedom from anxiety through prayer and God's peace. |
| Col 3:15 | Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts... | Christ's peace is to govern and preside within. |
| Heb 13:6 | The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me? | Confidence in God's aid transcends human threat. |
| 1 Cor 15:58 | Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. | Exhortation to unwavering and dedicated service. |
| Ps 57:7 | My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast! | A declared state of resolute devotion and trust. |
| Ps 108:1 | My heart is steadfast, O God! I will sing and make melody with all my being. | Firm heart enables true worship and joyful praise. |
| Job 1:20-21 | Then Job arose... and said, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return...” | Job's immediate, faithful response to catastrophic news. |
| 2 Cor 4:8-9 | We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair... | Resilience and endurance of believers in suffering. |
| Deut 31:6 | Be strong and courageous. Do not fear... for the Lord your God goes with you. | Divine promise of presence ensures courage. |
| Josh 1:9 | Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened or dismayed... | God's direct command for strength and fearlessness. |
| Matt 6:25 | Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life... | Christ's teaching to avoid anxiety regarding life. |
| Ps 91:5 | You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day... | Immunity from various forms of dread. |
Psalm 112 verses
Psalm 112 7 Meaning
Psalm 112:7 portrays the unwavering confidence of the righteous individual. When faced with distressing or calamitous reports, their heart remains unperturbed and resolute, deeply rooted in an absolute trust in the Lord. This profound inner stability liberates them from the grip of the overwhelming dread or terror that such news might typically provoke.
Psalm 112 7 Context
Psalm 112 is a companion psalm to Psalm 111, both commencing with "Hallelujah" (Praise the Lord). While Psalm 111 extols God's magnificent works and righteousness, Psalm 112 details the blessedness and characteristics of the individual who genuinely "fears the Lord" and "greatly delights in His commandments" (v. 1). It presents an idealized portrait of a righteous person, illustrating their moral uprightness, generosity, stability, and the divine blessings that accompany such a life. Verse 7 specifically underscores the internal composure and fearlessness of this person when confronted with life's inevitable challenges and negative reports. In a historical and cultural context prone to uncertainty, sickness, and sudden misfortune, this psalm stands as wisdom literature that guides and comforts. It tacitly offers a counter-narrative to relying on fleeting earthly powers or human schemes, by emphasizing that true security and resilience are rooted solely in a right and trust-filled relationship with the sovereign YHWH.
Psalm 112 7 Word analysis
- He will not fear (לֹא־יִירָא - lo-yira): The negative particle 'lo' ('not') coupled with the verb 'yira' ('he will fear'). While 'yira' can convey reverential awe towards God, here in negation, it emphatically means the absence of paralyzing terror, dread, or panicked flight in the face of adversity. This individual maintains composure and does not succumb to fright.
- evil tidings (מִשְּׁמוּעָה רָעָה - mish'mū'āh rā'āh): 'Mi' signifies "from" or "of." 'Sh'mū'āh' refers to a report, rumor, news, or what is heard, implying something communicated or perceived from external sources. 'Rā'āh' denotes evil, bad, harmful, calamitous, or malignant. Together, this phrase signifies any disturbing, distressing, or destructive news, rumors of disaster, or threatening information that would typically unnerve an ordinary person.
- His heart is steadfast (נָכוֹן לִבּוֹ - nakhōn libbō): 'Nakhōn' means fixed, firm, established, stable, prepared, or resolute. 'Libbō' is "his heart," which in biblical Hebrew encompasses the entirety of one's inner being—the seat of intellect, will, emotion, moral decision, and core character. A "steadfast heart" means the deepest part of the person is firmly grounded and unwavering, not easily swayed, disoriented, or fragmented by external disturbances or dire reports.
- trusting in the Lord (בָּטוּחַ בַּיהוָה - bāṭūaḥ baYHWH): 'Bāṭūaḥ' is a participle from a verb meaning to trust, be secure, or rely confidently, indicating a continuous state of reliance. 'BaYHWH' refers to YHWH, the personal, covenant God of Israel. This critical phrase identifies the singular source of the righteous person's unshakeable steadfastness: their confident, unwavering, and consistent reliance upon the character, power, and promises of the one true God. This resilience is a result of divine connection, not merely self-effort.
Psalm 112 7 Bonus section
The deep interconnectedness within Psalm 112 demonstrates that the "fear of the Lord" (v. 1) is not a crippling dread but the very foundation for overcoming other fears (v. 7). This spiritual stability ensures that while external circumstances may be tumultuous, the inner man remains peaceful and purposeful. The concept of the "heart" (lev) being steadfast is paramount, as it indicates total spiritual and psychological groundedness, illustrating that true security is an internal condition, cultivated by relationship with YHWH, rather than an external one. This Hallelujah Psalm serves to both commend the faithful and provide instruction on the blessed outcome of genuine devotion to God. The distinction between the enduring state of the righteous and the eventual collapse of the wicked (v. 10) underscores the long-term benefit of God-centered trust, offering a message of hope and justice.
Psalm 112 7 Commentary
Psalm 112:7 captures the tranquil fortitude inherent in the life of a truly righteous individual, whose existence is profoundly anchored in a "fear of the Lord." This verse promises that even when confronted with dire circumstances or unsettling news, the believer will not succumb to paralyzing fear or overwhelming dismay. Their "heart"—the epicenter of their being, encompassing intellect, will, and emotion—remains "steadfast," meaning fixed, firm, and immovable. This internal stability is not born of a stoic indifference or denial of reality, but flows directly from their active and enduring "trusting in the Lord." It is the profound confidence in God's sovereignty, faithfulness, and goodness that disarms the power of evil tidings. The steadfastness is a fruit of faith, enabling the righteous to maintain inner peace and sound judgment amidst crisis. This verse provides both comfort and a call to cultivate such a trust in God, so that like a tree firmly planted, one may endure storms without being uprooted. For example, a business owner hearing of market instability might prudently adjust strategies but would not descend into despair; a family receiving challenging medical news would proceed with treatment and prayer, holding fast to hope rather than dissolving into fear, because their ultimate trust resides in God's providence.