Psalm 112:8 kjv
His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.
Psalm 112:8 nkjv
His heart is established; He will not be afraid, Until he sees his desire upon his enemies.
Psalm 112:8 niv
Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.
Psalm 112:8 esv
His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.
Psalm 112:8 nlt
They are confident and fearless
and can face their foes triumphantly.
Psalm 112 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 57:7 | My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast... | Steadfast heart in God. |
| Ps 108:1 | My heart is steadfast, O God! I will sing and make melody with all my being. | Firm heart leading to worship. |
| Isa 26:3 | You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. | Mind (heart) fixed on God brings peace. |
| Pr 29:25 | The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe. | Trusting the Lord overcomes fear. |
| Heb 13:6 | So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?" | Boldness and no fear through divine help. |
| 1 Pet 5:7 | Casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you. | Trusting God alleviates fear and anxiety. |
| Ps 27:1 | The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? | Confidence and absence of fear in God. |
| Ps 46:1-3 | God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble... Therefore we will not fear... | God as a refuge removes fear. |
| Ps 118:6 | The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? | No fear with God's presence. |
| Pr 3:25-26 | Do not be afraid of sudden terror... for the Lord will be your confidence... | God as the source of security, removing fear. |
| Isa 41:10 | Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God... | Divine presence as the antidote to fear. |
| Php 4:6-7 | Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer... the peace of God... will guard... | Peace of God protecting against anxiety. |
| 2 Tim 1:7 | For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. | Spirit empowered to overcome fear. |
| Ps 37:28 | For the Lord loves justice; He will not forsake His saints... their offspring shall be cut off. | God's justice ensuring His saints' protection. |
| Ps 58:10 | The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance; he will bathe his feet in the blood of the wicked. | Observing God's justice upon the wicked. |
| Ps 92:11 | My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies; my ears have heard the doom of my evil assailants. | Witnessing the defeat of foes. |
| Rom 8:37 | No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. | Overwhelming victory through Christ. |
| 1 Cor 15:57 | But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. | God as the giver of ultimate victory. |
| 2 Cor 2:14 | But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumph... | God always leading in triumph in Christ. |
| Col 2:15 | He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in Him. | Christ's decisive triumph over spiritual foes. |
| Ps 112:1-3 | Blessed is the man who fears the Lord... Wealth and riches are in his house... | Blessing and prosperity of the righteous. |
| Mt 6:33 | But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. | Righteous living leads to divine provision. |
| Rev 17:14 | They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for He is Lord of lords... | Ultimate triumph of the Lamb and His followers. |
| Rev 19:19-20 | And I saw the beast... with their armies gathered to make war against Him... and the beast was captured... | Eschatological defeat of ultimate adversaries. |
Psalm 112 verses
Psalm 112 8 Meaning
Psalm 112:8 declares the profound inner stability and assured future of the righteous person who trusts in the Lord. His heart is steadfast and prepared, rooted in faith, enabling him to face difficulties without fear. This unwavering confidence culminates in him ultimately witnessing the vindication provided by God over his adversaries, affirming the Lord's justice and his blessed state.
Psalm 112 8 Context
Psalm 112 is a wisdom psalm, forming a parallel with Psalm 111. While Psalm 111 extols the praiseworthy works and attributes of the Lord, Psalm 112 describes the character and blessedness of the one who fears the Lord and delights in His commandments. It paints a portrait of a righteous person whose life mirrors the justice and compassion of God. This psalm is structured acrostically, highlighting each characteristic from A to Z, emphasizing the complete and pervasive nature of the blessings for the one who lives righteously. Verse 8 describes a key aspect of this blessed life: unwavering trust in God amidst opposition, leading to a secure and ultimately victorious position. Culturally, this psalm affirms the covenantal blessings promised in the Torah for obedience and fidelity to God, contrasting the faithful Israelite with those who deviate from divine statutes. The "adversaries" mentioned are the real-world opponents, oppressors, or even trials faced by the one striving to live righteously in a challenging world.
Psalm 112 8 Word analysis
- His heart (לִבּוֹ - libbô): This Hebrew term refers to the innermost being of a person—the seat of thought, will, emotion, and moral character. It's the core identity. Here, its "firmness" indicates a deep-seated conviction, resolve, and integrity, rather than a mere fleeting emotion. It's where true faith and trust reside.
- is firm (נָכוֹן - nākôn): Derived from the root כּוּן (kūn), meaning to be established, prepared, stable, or ready. It implies being firmly set, unmovable, and secure. This firmness is not inherent but is a consequence of his orientation toward the Lord, established by divine strength and truth. It signifies stability amidst external pressures.
- he shall not be afraid (לֹא יִירָא - lo' yîrā'): This is a direct outcome of a firm heart in God. The "fear" here is one of terror, anxiety, or despair in the face of trouble or human opposition, not the reverential "fear of the Lord" that initiates the psalm's description of blessedness. It means a deep confidence that casts out debilitating dread.
- until he looks (עַד אֲשֶׁר יִרְאֶה - 'ad 'ăšer yir'eh): The word "until" does not suggest that fear will eventually arise, but rather marks the culmination of the righteous person's patient endurance. "Looks" implies more than just seeing; it can denote experiencing or witnessing a divinely ordained event. This phrase suggests a period of enduring difficulty, knowing God will ultimately act.
- in triumph on his adversaries (בַצָּרָיו - batzārāw): This phrase in Hebrew literally means "upon his adversaries" or "upon his oppressors." The translation "in triumph" captures the intended meaning of witnessing the vindication or defeat of those who sought to harm or oppose him. The root צָר (tsar) denotes distress, trouble, or an adversary who causes such affliction. The righteous person is not actively seeking personal revenge but trusting God to administer justice, and then peacefully observing the outcome of divine judgment on those who were against him.
- His heart is firm; he shall not be afraid: This group of words portrays a causal relationship: inner stability, founded on God, leads to outer fearlessness. It highlights the security found in an unwavering trust in divine providence, rendering worldly anxieties ineffective. This firmness enables courage even when surrounded by threats.
- until he looks in triumph on his adversaries: This phrase conveys patience, expectation, and ultimate divine vindication. It emphasizes that the triumph is not self-made but granted by God at His appointed time, allowing the righteous to witness God's justice unfold against their detractors or trials. It points to a definitive end to conflict for the believer, overseen by God.
Psalm 112 8 Bonus section
The concept of a "firm heart" in this verse finds profound echoes in the New Testament concept of being rooted and grounded in Christ (Eph 3:17) or having one's mind stayed on Him (Isa 26:3, which reflects a firm heart). It highlights a core Christian principle: stability in life derives from an unswerving faith and dependence on God. This steadfastness of heart enabled the apostles to boldly preach despite persecution and for Christ Himself to set His face like a flint towards Jerusalem, knowing the opposition awaiting Him (Isa 50:7, Lk 9:51). The "triumph over adversaries" can be seen not only as individual vindication but also collectively in the church's ultimate victory over the powers of darkness and death through Christ's resurrection (Col 2:15, 1 Cor 15:57), foreshadowing the Lamb's final triumph in the Revelation (Rev 17:14). Thus, the psalm speaks both to personal endurance and a broader spiritual truth of God's prevailing justice.
Psalm 112 8 Commentary
Psalm 112:8 beautifully summarizes the tranquil and secure disposition of the one whose life is anchored in the fear of the Lord (Ps 112:1). The "firm heart" signifies an inner resolve and unshakeable trust in God's faithfulness and power, irrespective of external circumstances. This is not a humanly generated courage but a divinely inspired confidence, allowing the individual to be free from crippling fear when confronted by hardship or hostility. The promise "he shall not be afraid" is profound; it points to a peace that surpasses understanding, guarding the heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Php 4:7). The culmination, "until he looks in triumph on his adversaries," underscores the eschatological and divinely guaranteed victory of the righteous. It assures the believer that ultimate justice belongs to God. This isn't a call for vindictive celebration but rather a declaration that God will inevitably establish His righteousness and uphold His faithful ones. This verse serves as an enduring assurance that patient trust in God will be honored with full vindication.