Psalms 112:7

Authorized King James Version

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He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.

Original Language Analysis

מִשְּׁמוּעָ֣ה tidings H8052
מִשְּׁמוּעָ֣ה tidings
Strong's: H8052
Word #: 1 of 8
something heard, i.e., an announcement
רָ֭עָה of evil H7451
רָ֭עָה of evil
Strong's: H7451
Word #: 2 of 8
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
לֹ֣א H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 3 of 8
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִירָ֑א He shall not be afraid H3372
יִירָ֑א He shall not be afraid
Strong's: H3372
Word #: 4 of 8
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
נָכ֥וֹן is fixed H3559
נָכ֥וֹן is fixed
Strong's: H3559
Word #: 5 of 8
properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,
לִ֝בּ֗וֹ his heart H3820
לִ֝בּ֗וֹ his heart
Strong's: H3820
Word #: 6 of 8
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
בָּטֻ֥חַ trusting H982
בָּטֻ֥חַ trusting
Strong's: H982
Word #: 7 of 8
properly, to hie for refuge (but not so precipitately as h2620); figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure
בַּיהוָֽה׃ in the LORD H3068
בַּיהוָֽה׃ in the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 8 of 8
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Analysis & Commentary

This verse addresses fear and faith: 'He shall not be afraid of evil tidings.' 'Evil tidings' (shemu'ah ra'ah) means bad news, reports of danger, or threatening circumstances. The promise isn't absence of evil news but absence of paralyzing fear in response to it. The second clause explains the source of this courage: 'his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.' 'Fixed' (nakown) means established, steadfast, stable - the same word from Psalm 108:1. The heart's stability comes from 'trusting in the LORD.' Trust (batach) means confident reliance, security in God's character and promises. A heart fixed on God remains stable regardless of external circumstances. This verse presents the antidote to fear: not the absence of threats but the presence of trust. It establishes that courage isn't natural temperament but theological conviction - those who truly know God's character need not be controlled by fear of circumstances.

Historical Context

In the ancient world, 'evil tidings' might include reports of approaching armies, famine, plague, or personal disaster. Israel's history was marked by such threats - Egyptian pursuit, Canaanite armies, Philistine invasions, Assyrian and Babylonian threats. The righteous person's response was tested repeatedly. This verse echoes Isaiah's counsel to Ahaz when facing Syrian and Ephraimite invasion: 'Take heed, and be quiet; fear not' (Isaiah 7:4). The stability of a 'fixed heart' contrasts with the anxious heart that wavers with every report. For exilic Jews, evil tidings were constant - destruction, captivity, oppression. Yet prophets like Daniel maintained fixed hearts through trust in God. New Testament teaching continues this theme: 'Be careful for nothing' (Philippians 4:6), 'casting all your care upon him' (1 Peter 5:7). The early church faced constant evil tidings - persecution, martyrdom - yet testimonies speak of believers facing death without fear. This verse has sustained martyrs, missionaries, and everyday believers facing life's uncertainties.

Questions for Reflection