— Psalm 112 (Hebrew)
Beatus vir qui timet Dominum
By GRAHAM JOHN
A wisdom psalm describing the blessedness, moral stability, and generosity of the righteous person who lives in reverent alignment with God’s order.
10 verses total
VERSUS 1–10 (Latin + Literal English + Word Notes)
1
Beatus vir qui timet Dominum; in mandatis eius volet nimis.
Blessed is the man who fears the Lord; he greatly delights in his commandments.
Word Notes:
- beatus, -a, -um — blessed, happy, fulfilled
- vir, viri m. — man, person of character
- timeo, timere — to fear, revere
- mandatum, -i n. — command, precept
- volo, velle — to will, desire
- nimis — exceedingly, greatly
2
Potens in terra erit semen eius; generatio rectorum benedicetur.
His offspring will be mighty upon the earth; the generation of the upright will be blessed.
Word Notes:
- potens, potentis — powerful, strong
- terra, -ae f. — land, earth
- erit — will be (future of sum)
- semen, seminis n. — seed, offspring
- rectus, -a, -um — upright, morally straight
- benedico, benedicere — to bless
3
Gloria et divitiae in domo eius; et iustitia eius manet in saeculum saeculi.
Glory and riches are in his house; and his justice remains forever and ever.
Word Notes:
- gloria, -ae f. — honour, glory
- divitiae, -arum f. pl. — riches, wealth
- domus, -us f. — house, household
- iustitia, -ae f. — justice, righteousness
- maneo, manere — to remain, endure
- in saeculum saeculi — forever (idiom)
4
Exortum est in tenebris lumen rectis; misericors et miserator et iustus.
A light has arisen in the darkness for the upright; merciful, compassionate, and just.
Word Notes:
- exorior, exoriri — to arise (deponent)
- tenebrae, -arum f. pl. — darkness
- lumen, luminis n. — light
- misericors, -cordis — merciful
- miserator, -oris m. — one who shows pity
- iustus, -a, -um — just, righteous
5
Iucundus homo qui miseretur et commodat; disponet sermones suos in iudicio.
Well is it for the man who shows mercy and lends; he orders his affairs with justice.
Word Notes:
- iucundus, -a, -um — good, fitting, gracious
- misereor, misereri — to show mercy (deponent)
- commodo, commodare — to lend
- dispono, disponere — to arrange, set in order
- sermo, sermonis m. — word, matter, conduct
- iudicium, -ii n. — judgment, justice
6
Quia in aeternum non commovebitur; in memoria aeterna erit iustus.
For he will never be shaken; the righteous will be in everlasting remembrance.
Word Notes:
- commoveo, commovere — to disturb, shake
- aeternus, -a, -um — eternal
- memoria, -ae f. — memory, remembrance
- iustus, -i m. — the righteous person
7
Ab auditione mala non timebit; paratum cor eius sperare in Domino.
He will not fear evil news; his heart is prepared to trust in the Lord.
Word Notes:
- auditio, auditionis f. — report, tidings
- malus, -a, -um — evil, bad
- paratus, -a, -um — prepared, ready
- cor, cordis n. — heart
- spero, sperare — to hope, trust
- Dominus, -i m. — Lord
8
Confirmatum est cor eius; non commovebitur, donec despiciat inimicos suos.
His heart is established; he will not be shaken until he looks upon his enemies.
Word Notes:
- confirmo, confirmare — to strengthen, establish
- donec — until
- despicio, despicere — to look down upon
- inimicus, -i m. — enemy
9
Dispersit, dedit pauperibus; iustitia eius manet in saeculum saeculi; cornu eius exaltabitur in gloria.
He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his justice remains forever; his horn will be exalted in glory.
Word Notes:
- dispergo, dispergere — to scatter, distribute
- do, dare — to give
- pauper, pauperis m. — poor person
- cornu, -us n. — horn (symbol of strength)
- exalto, exaltare — to raise, exalt
- gloria, -ae f. — honour, glory
10
Peccator videbit et irascetur; dentibus suis fremet et tabescet; desiderium peccatorum peribit.
The sinner will see and be angry; he will gnash his teeth and waste away; the desire of the wicked will perish.
Word Notes:
- peccator, peccatoris m. — sinner
- irascor, irasci — to become angry (deponent)
- fremo, fremere — to gnash, rage
- tabesco, tabescere — to waste away
- desiderium, -ii n. — desire
- pereo, perire — to perish
MORPHOLOGY EXERCISES (10)
Identify tense, voice, mood, and principal parts:
- timet
- volet
- erit
- exortum est
- miseretur
- disponet
- commovebitur
- sperare
- exaltabitur
- peribit
TRANSLATION EXERCISES (10)
Translate into Latin:
- Blessed is the man who fears the Lord.
- He delights greatly in the commandments.
- His offspring will be mighty on the earth.
- His justice remains forever.
- A light has arisen in the darkness.
- He shows mercy and lends.
- His heart is prepared to trust.
- He will not fear evil news.
- He has given to the poor.
- The desire of the wicked will perish.
SUMMARY (≈100 words)
Psalm 111 presents a portrait of the righteous person whose life is shaped by reverent alignment with moral order. Fear of the Lord is not anxiety but orientation: a disciplined attentiveness that stabilises desire and conduct. The psalm links inner firmness with outward generosity, portraying justice as a durable character rather than episodic behaviour. Confidence in the face of bad news arises not from control of circumstances but from a prepared heart. By contrast, the sinner is undone not by punishment but by corrosive resentment. The psalm suggests that moral coherence generates both inner peace and lasting remembrance.
REFLECTION QUESTION
Which quality in this psalm — reverence, generosity, steadiness under pressure, or freedom from resentment — most clearly exposes either strength or imbalance in your own inner life?