Psalms 112:8

Authorized King James Version

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His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.

Original Language Analysis

סָמ֣וּךְ is established H5564
סָמ֣וּךְ is established
Strong's: H5564
Word #: 1 of 8
to prop (literally or figuratively); reflexively, to lean upon or take hold of (in a favorable or unfavorable sense)
לִ֭בּוֹ His heart H3820
לִ֭בּוֹ His heart
Strong's: H3820
Word #: 2 of 8
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
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
עַ֖ד H5704
עַ֖ד
Strong's: H5704
Word #: 5 of 8
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
אֲשֶׁר H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 6 of 8
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִרְאֶ֣ה until he see H7200
יִרְאֶ֣ה until he see
Strong's: H7200
Word #: 7 of 8
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
בְצָרָֽיו׃ his desire upon his enemies H6862
בְצָרָֽיו׃ his desire upon his enemies
Strong's: H6862
Word #: 8 of 8
a pebble (as in h6864)

Analysis & Commentary

His heart is established, he shall not be afraid (סָמוּךְ לִבּוֹ לֹא יִירָא)—Samukh (established, firm, supported) uses the same root as Psalm 111:8's description of God's precepts standing fast. The righteous person's lev (heart, inner being) possesses divinely-given stability. Lo yira (shall not fear) promises courage not from circumstances but from heart-anchoring in God's character. This echoes Proverbs 3:25-26 and anticipates New Testament teaching on peace transcending understanding (Philippians 4:7).

Until he see his desire upon his enemies (עַד אֲשֶׁר־יִרְאֶה בְצָרָיו)—Ad asher-yireh (until he sees) anticipates vindication. Betsarav (on his adversaries) means seeing God's justice enacted. This is neither personal vengeance nor schadenfreude but confidence that God will ultimately vindicate righteousness and judge wickedness. It echoes imprecatory psalms (Psalm 58, 137) and anticipates eschatological justice when God finally makes all things right. The righteous can maintain courage because they know the outcome—God wins, righteousness prevails.

Historical Context

This verse addresses the recurring Old Testament problem: the prosperity of the wicked and the suffering of the righteous (Psalms 37, 73, Jeremiah 12:1, Habakkuk 1:13). Psalm 112 promises that the righteous will eventually witness divine justice, encouraging perseverance during seasons when evil seems triumphant. For post-exilic Israel, this meant confidence that Babylon's judgment and Israel's restoration vindicated covenant faithfulness. New Testament eschatology extends this vindication to final judgment and resurrection.

Questions for Reflection