Psalms 112:2
His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.
Original Language Analysis
יִהְיֶ֣ה
H1961
יִהְיֶ֣ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
3 of 7
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
זַרְע֑וֹ
His seed
H2233
זַרְע֑וֹ
His seed
Strong's:
H2233
Word #:
4 of 7
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
דּ֭וֹר
the generation
H1755
דּ֭וֹר
the generation
Strong's:
H1755
Word #:
5 of 7
properly, a revolution of time, i.e., an age or generation; also a dwelling
Cross References
Genesis 17:7And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.Psalms 37:26He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.Proverbs 20:7The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.Acts 2:39For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.Psalms 102:28The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before thee.Psalms 25:13His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.Jeremiah 32:39And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them:
Historical Context
Psalm 112 is the companion acrostic to Psalm 111, shifting from God's character to the godly person's blessedness. Written for Second Temple worship, this psalm reinforced covenant theology in a community rebuilding after exile. The emphasis on generational blessing encouraged faithfulness despite present hardship, promising that righteousness bears fruit beyond one's lifetime. Ancient Israelite culture was deeply communal and generational—individual righteousness benefited the family and clan, while individual sin brought corporate consequences.
Questions for Reflection
- How does parental godliness create spiritual and practical advantages for children without guaranteeing their salvation?
- In what ways can childless believers leave a godly 'generation' through spiritual mentoring and discipleship?
- How do prosperity gospel distortions of this verse differ from its covenantal understanding of generational blessing?
Analysis & Commentary
His seed shall be mighty upon earth (זַרְעוֹ יִהְיֶה גִבּוֹר בָּאָרֶץ)—Zera (seed, offspring, descendants) promises generational blessing flowing from personal godliness. Gibbor (mighty, strong, valiant) suggests not merely numerous descendants but influential, empowered ones. This echoes Abrahamic covenant promises (Genesis 12:2, 22:17) and Deuteronomic blessings for covenant obedience (Deuteronomy 28:4). The righteous person's legacy extends beyond their lifespan, their children inheriting spiritual and material advantages.
The generation of the upright shall be blessed (דּוֹר יְשָׁרִים יְבֹרָךְ)—Dor (generation) expands from immediate children to subsequent generations. Yesharim (upright, straight) describes moral integrity and covenant faithfulness. Yeborakh (shall be blessed) promises divine favor as covenant consequence. Proverbs repeatedly affirms this principle (Proverbs 11:21, 13:22, 20:7), though Job and Ecclesiastes nuance it, and the New Testament spiritualizes 'seed' to include spiritual descendants (Galatians 3:29).