Psalm 112
Words: Isaac Watts
As the 113th Psalm 888.888 (AAC BBC)
The blessings of the liberal man.
1 That man is blessed who stands in awe
Of God, and loves his sacred law:
His seed on earth shall be renowned;
His house the seat of wealth shall be,
An inexhausted treasury,
And with successive honors crowned.
2 His lib'ral favors he extends,
To some he gives, to others lends;
A gen'rous pity fills his mind:
Yet what his charity impairs,
He saves by prudence in affairs
And thus he's just to all mankind.
3 His hands, while they his alms bestowed,
His glory's future harvest sowed;
The sweet remembrance of the just,
Like a green root, revives and bears
A train of blessings for his heirs,
When dying nature sleeps in dust.
4 Beset with threat'ning dangers round,
Unmoved shall he maintain his ground
His conscience holds his courage up:
The soul that's filled with virtue's light,
Shines brightest in affliction's night,
And sees in darkness beams of hope.
PAUSE.
5 Ill tidings never can surprise
His heart that fixed on God relies,
Though waves and tempests roar around:
Safe on the rock he sits, and sees
The shipwreck of his enemies,
And all their hope and glory drowned.
6 The wicked shall his triumph see,
And gnash their teeth in agony,
To find their expectations crossed;
They and their envy, pride, and spite,
Sink down to everlasting night,
And all their names in darkness lost.
The blessings of the pious and charitable.
1 Thrice happy man who fears the Lord,
Loves his commands, and trusts his word;
Honor and peace his days attend,
And blessings to his seed descend.
2 Compassion dwells upon his mind,
To works of mercy still inclined;
He lends the poor some present aid,
Or gives them, not to be repaid.
3 When times grow dark, and tidings spread
That fill his neighbors round with dread,
His heart is armed against the fear,
For God with all his power is there.
4 His soul, well fixed upon the Lord,
Draws heav'nly courage from his word;
Amidst the darkness light shall rise,
To cheer his heart and bless his eyes.
5 He hath dispersed his alms abroad;
His works are still before his God;
His name on earth shall long remain,
While envious sinners fret in vain.
Liberality rewarded.
1 Happy is he that fears the Lord,
And follows his commands;
Who lends the poor without reward,
Or gives with lib'ral hands.
2 As pity dwells within his breast
To all the sons of need;
So God shall answer his request
With blessings on his seed.
3 No evil tidings shall surprise
His well established mind;
His soul to God his refuge flies,
And leaves his fears behind.
4 In times of general distress
Some beams of light shall shine,
To show the world his righteousness,
And give him peace divine.
5 His works of piety and love
Remain before the Lord;
Honor on earth and joys above
Shall be his sure reward.
