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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 112:4 Light dawns in the darkness for the upright--for the gracious, compassionate, and righteous.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/112-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/19_Psa_112_004.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 112:4 - Blessed is the Man who Fears the LORD" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Light dawns in the darkness for the upright--for the gracious, compassionate, and righteous." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/psalms/112-4.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/psalms/112-4.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/psalms/">Psalms</a> > <a href="/psalms/112.htm">Chapter 112</a> > Verse 4</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad4.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/psalms/112-3.htm" title="Psalm 112:3">◄</a> Psalm 112:4 <a href="/psalms/112-5.htm" title="Psalm 112:5">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/psalms/112.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/psalms/112.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/112.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Light shines in the darkness for the godly. They are generous, compassionate, and righteous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/112.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Light dawns in the darkness for the upright; he is gracious, merciful, and righteous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/112.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Light dawns in the darkness for the upright—for the gracious, compassionate, and righteous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/112.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: <i>he is</i> gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/112.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness; <i>He is</i> gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/112.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Light shines in the darkness for the upright; <i>He is</i> gracious, compassionate, and righteous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/112.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Light arises in the darkness for the upright; He is gracious and compassionate and righteous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/112.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Light arises in the darkness for the upright; <i>He is</i> gracious and compassionate and righteous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/112.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Light arises in the darkness for the upright; <i>He is</i> gracious and compassionate and righteous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/112.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Light arises in the darkness for the upright; He is gracious and compassionate and righteous (upright—in right standing with God).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/112.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Light shines in the darkness for the upright. He is gracious, compassionate, and righteous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/112.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Light shines in the darkness for the upright. He is gracious, compassionate, and righteous. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/112.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: He is gracious, and merciful, and righteous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/112.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />They will be so kind and merciful and good, that they will be a light in the dark for others who do the right thing. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/112.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/112.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Light will shine in the dark for a decent person. He is merciful, compassionate, and fair.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/112.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Light shines in the darkness for good people, for those who are merciful, kind, and just. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/112.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />A light shines in the darkness for the upright, for the one who is gracious, compassionate, and just.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/112.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Light dawns in the darkness for the upright?for the gracious, compassionate, and righteous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/112.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />In the darkness a light shines for the godly, for each one who is merciful, compassionate, and just. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/112.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Light dawns in the darkness for the upright, gracious, merciful, and righteous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/112.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />To the upright there ariseth light in darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/112.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Light dawns in the darkness for the upright, gracious, merciful, and righteous. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/112.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Light has risen in darkness to the upright, "" Gracious, and merciful, and righteous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/112.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Light hath risen in darkness to the upright, Gracious, and merciful, and righteous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/112.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Light arose in darkness to the upright: merciful and compassionate and just.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/112.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />To the righteous a light is risen up in darkness: he is merciful, and compassionate and just. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/112.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 111:4>For the upright, a light has risen up in the darkness. He is merciful and compassionate and just.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/112.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Light shines through the darkness for the upright; gracious, compassionate, and righteous. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/112.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />They rise in the darkness as a light for the upright; they are gracious, merciful, and righteous.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/112.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />To the upright there shines a light in the darkness; he is gracious and full of compassion upon the righteous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/112.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />The Light shines in the darkness to the upright and he shows love upon the righteous.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/112.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Unto the upright He shineth as a light in the darkness, Gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/112.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />To the upright light has sprung up in darkness: he is pitiful, and merciful, and righteous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/112-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=14356" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/112.htm">Blessed is the Man who Fears the LORD</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">3</span>Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/216.htm" title="216: ’ō·wr (N-cs) -- A light. From 'owr; illumination or luminary.">Light</a> <a href="/hebrew/2224.htm" title="2224: zā·raḥ (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To rise, come forth. A primitive root; properly, to irradiate, i.e. To rise; specifically, to appear.">dawns</a> <a href="/hebrew/2822.htm" title="2822: ba·ḥō·šeḵ (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- From chashak; the dark; hence darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness.">in the darkness</a> <a href="/hebrew/3477.htm" title="3477: lay·šā·rîm (Prep-l, Art:: Adj-mp) -- Straight, right. From yashar; straight.">for the upright—</a> <a href="/hebrew/2587.htm" title="2587: ḥan·nūn (Adj-ms) -- Gracious. From chanan; gracious.">for the gracious,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7349.htm" title="7349: wə·ra·ḥūm (Conj-w:: Adj-ms) -- Compassionate. From racham; compassionate.">compassionate,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6662.htm" title="6662: wə·ṣad·dîq (Conj-w:: Adj-ms) -- Just, righteous. From tsadaq; just.">and righteous.</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>It is well with the man who is generous and lends freely, whose affairs are guided by justice.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/58-10.htm">Isaiah 58:10</a></span><br />and if you give yourself to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light will go forth in the darkness, and your night will be like noonday.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-14.htm">Matthew 5:14-16</a></span><br />You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. / Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. / In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/4-18.htm">Proverbs 4:18</a></span><br />The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/8-12.htm">John 8:12</a></span><br />Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/4-6.htm">2 Corinthians 4:6</a></span><br />For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/60-1.htm">Isaiah 60:1-3</a></span><br />Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. / For behold, darkness covers the earth, and thick darkness is over the peoples; but the LORD will rise upon you, and His glory will appear over you. / Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/5-8.htm">Ephesians 5:8-9</a></span><br />For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, / for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/1-78.htm">Luke 1:78-79</a></span><br />because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the Dawn will visit us from on high, / to shine on those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/11-17.htm">Job 11:17</a></span><br />Your life will be brighter than noonday; its darkness will be like the morning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/1-5.htm">1 John 1:5-7</a></span><br />And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you: God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. / If we say we have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. / But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/9-2.htm">Isaiah 9:2</a></span><br />The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/2-15.htm">Philippians 2:15</a></span><br />so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/4-2.htm">Malachi 4:2</a></span><br />“But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings, and you will go out and leap like calves from the stall.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/13-47.htm">Acts 13:47</a></span><br />For this is what the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/12-3.htm">Daniel 12:3</a></span><br />Then the wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">To the upright there rises light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.</p><p class="hdg">there ariseth</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/37-6.htm">Psalm 37:6</a></b></br> And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/97-11.htm">Psalm 97:11</a></b></br> Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/11-17.htm">Job 11:17</a></b></br> And <i>thine</i> age shall be clearer than the noonday; thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning.</p><p class="hdg">he is gracious</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/106-1.htm">Psalm 106:1</a></b></br> Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for <i>he is</i> good: for his mercy <i>endureth</i> for ever.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/6-36.htm">Luke 6:36</a></b></br> Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_corinthians/8-8.htm">2 Corinthians 8:8,9</a></b></br> I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love… </p><p class="hdg">righteous</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/titus/2-11.htm">Titus 2:11,12</a></b></br> For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_john/2-29.htm">1 John 2:29</a></b></br> If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_john/3-7.htm">1 John 3:7,10</a></b></br> Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/31-14.htm">Arises</a> <a href="/psalms/104-22.htm">Ariseth</a> <a href="/psalms/111-4.htm">Compassion</a> <a href="/psalms/111-4.htm">Compassionate</a> <a href="/psalms/107-14.htm">Dark</a> <a href="/psalms/107-14.htm">Darkness</a> <a href="/psalms/97-11.htm">Dawns</a> <a href="/psalms/111-4.htm">Full</a> <a href="/psalms/103-4.htm">Grace</a> <a href="/psalms/111-4.htm">Gracious</a> <a href="/psalms/105-39.htm">Light</a> <a href="/psalms/111-4.htm">Merciful</a> <a href="/psalms/111-4.htm">Pity</a> <a href="/psalms/107-42.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/psalms/109-28.htm">Risen</a> <a href="/psalms/104-22.htm">Rises</a> <a href="/job/31-26.htm">Shineth</a> <a href="/psalms/104-15.htm">Shining</a> <a href="/psalms/112-2.htm">Upright</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-5.htm">Arises</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-5.htm">Ariseth</a> <a href="/psalms/116-5.htm">Compassion</a> <a href="/psalms/116-5.htm">Compassionate</a> <a href="/psalms/139-11.htm">Dark</a> <a href="/psalms/139-11.htm">Darkness</a> <a href="/isaiah/47-11.htm">Dawns</a> <a href="/psalms/116-3.htm">Full</a> <a href="/psalms/116-5.htm">Grace</a> <a href="/psalms/112-5.htm">Gracious</a> <a href="/psalms/118-27.htm">Light</a> <a href="/psalms/116-5.htm">Merciful</a> <a href="/psalms/145-8.htm">Pity</a> <a href="/psalms/112-6.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-28.htm">Risen</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-16.htm">Rises</a> <a href="/psalms/139-12.htm">Shineth</a> <a href="/psalms/119-105.htm">Shining</a> <a href="/psalms/112-6.htm">Upright</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 112</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/112-1.htm">Godliness has the promises of this life</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/112-4.htm">And of the life to come</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/112-10.htm">The prosperity of the godly shall be an eyesore to the wicked</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/112.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/112.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Light dawns in the darkness for the upright</b><br>This phrase suggests hope and divine intervention in times of trouble. Biblically, light often symbolizes God's presence and guidance (<a href="/psalms/27.htm">Psalm 27:1</a>, <a href="/john/8-12.htm">John 8:12</a>). The "upright" refers to those who live in accordance with God's laws, reflecting integrity and moral character. In a historical context, the imagery of light breaking through darkness would resonate with ancient Israelites, who experienced literal darkness in the wilderness and metaphorical darkness during periods of exile and oppression. This phrase can also be seen as a type of Christ, who is the ultimate light in the darkness, bringing salvation and truth to humanity.<p><b>for the gracious</b><br>Graciousness is a key attribute of God, often associated with mercy and kindness (<a href="/exodus/34-6.htm">Exodus 34:6</a>). In the cultural context of the Bible, being gracious involved showing favor and kindness to others, often in a way that reflects God's own grace. This characteristic is expected of the upright, as they mirror God's nature in their interactions with others. The New Testament reinforces this idea, encouraging believers to be gracious in speech and action (<a href="/colossians/4-6.htm">Colossians 4:6</a>).<p><b>compassionate</b><br>Compassion involves empathy and a deep concern for the suffering of others. In the biblical narrative, God is frequently described as compassionate, particularly in His dealings with Israel (<a href="/psalms/103-13.htm">Psalm 103:13</a>). The cultural expectation for the upright to be compassionate reflects the covenant relationship between God and His people, where they are called to emulate His character. This aligns with the teachings of Jesus, who exemplified compassion throughout His ministry (<a href="/matthew/9-36.htm">Matthew 9:36</a>).<p><b>and righteous</b><br>Righteousness in the Bible is closely linked to justice and living in a way that is pleasing to God. It involves adherence to God's commandments and a commitment to ethical behavior. Historically, righteousness was a central theme in the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where obedience to the law was paramount. Theologically, righteousness is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who embodies perfect righteousness and imparts it to believers through faith (<a href="/romans/3-22.htm">Romans 3:22</a>). This phrase underscores the holistic nature of the upright, who are not only gracious and compassionate but also committed to living righteously.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_upright.htm">The Upright</a></b><br>Refers to those who live in accordance with God's laws and principles. In the context of <a href="/bsb/psalms/112.htm">Psalm 112</a>, the upright are those who fear the Lord and delight in His commandments.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/l/light.htm">Light</a></b><br>Symbolizes guidance, hope, and divine presence. In the Hebrew context, "light" often represents God's favor and truth.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/d/darkness.htm">Darkness</a></b><br>Represents adversity, ignorance, or evil. It is the challenging circumstances in which the upright find themselves.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/g/gracious.htm">Gracious</a></b><br>Describes a person who shows kindness and mercy to others, reflecting God's own nature.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/c/compassionate_and_righteous.htm">Compassionate and Righteous</a></b><br>Attributes of those who are aligned with God's will, showing empathy and living justly.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_light_in_the_believer's_life.htm">The Role of Light in the Believer's Life</a></b><br>Light represents God's guidance and presence. As believers, we are called to seek His light in times of darkness and trust that He will illuminate our path.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/attributes_of_the_upright.htm">Attributes of the Upright</a></b><br>Being gracious, compassionate, and righteous are not just ideals but practical attributes that should define our daily interactions and decisions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/responding_to_darkness.htm">Responding to Darkness</a></b><br>In times of adversity, believers are encouraged to remain steadfast in their faith, knowing that God's light will dawn and provide clarity and hope.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/reflecting_god's_character.htm">Reflecting God's Character</a></b><br>As followers of Christ, we are to embody His attributes, showing grace and compassion to others, thus becoming a reflection of His righteousness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_impact_of_righteous_living.htm">The Impact of Righteous Living</a></b><br>Living righteously not only benefits the individual but also serves as a testimony to others, drawing them towards the light of Christ.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_112.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 112</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_psalm_112_4_metaphorical_or_scientific.htm">Psalm 112:4 refers to light dawning in darkness for the upright; can this be confirmed scientifically, or is it purely metaphorical language with no empirical validation? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_were_days_counted_before_the_sun.htm">If Genesis describes the creation of the sun on the fourth day, how were there 'days' before the sun existed?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_poor_devout_reconcile_psalm_112_3.htm">Psalm 112:3 declares that the righteous will enjoy wealth and riches; how does this reconcile with devout individuals who remain poor and persecuted throughout history? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_it_possible_for_god_to_commit_sin.htm">Is it possible for God to commit sin?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/112.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) <span class= "bld">Ariseth . . .</span>--The Hebrew verb is commonly used of the sunrise. (Comp. <a href="/psalms/97-11.htm" title="Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.">Psalm 97:11</a>; <a href="/isaiah/58-8.htm" title="Then shall your light break forth as the morning, and your health shall spring forth speedily: and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.">Isaiah 58:8</a>.) For the good man the darkest night of trouble and sorrow will have a dawn of hope.<p><span class= "bld">He is gracious . . .</span>--The Authorised Version is right in making this a description of the upright man's character. The construction certainly at first appears strange, since "the upright" is in the plural, while the epithets in this clause resume the singular of <a href="/psalms/112-3.htm" title="Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endures for ever.">Psalm 112:3</a>. This may be best explained by treating the first clause of this verse as a familiar proverbial saying, which the poet introduces, as a quotation, without changing the number to suit his own construction.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/112.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness</span>. God's Word is "a lantern unto their feet, and a light unto their paths" (<a href="/psalms/119-105.htm">Psalm 119:105</a>) - sufficient under most circumstances to guide their steps aright. When this is not enough, he vouchsafes an inward light to them (<a href="/psalms/27-1.htm">Psalm 27:1</a>; <a href="/psalms/36-9.htm">Psalm 36:9</a>; <a href="/isaiah/58-10.htm">Isaiah 58:10</a>; <a href="/isaiah/49-6.htm">Isaiah 49:6</a>, etc.). <span class="cmt_word">He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous</span>. It is a very forced interpretation to understand this as said of Jehovah. The entire subject of the psalm is the righteous, God-like <span class="accented">man</span>. In him are reflected shadows of all the Divine qualities. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/112-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Light</span><br /><span class="heb">א֭וֹר</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·wr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_216.htm">Strong's 216: </a> </span><span class="str2">Illumination, luminary</span><br /><br /><span class="word">dawns</span><br /><span class="heb">זָ֘רַ֤ח</span> <span class="translit">(zā·raḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2224.htm">Strong's 2224: </a> </span><span class="str2">To irradiate, to rise, to appear</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in the darkness</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּחֹ֣שֶׁךְ</span> <span class="translit">(ba·ḥō·šeḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2822.htm">Strong's 2822: </a> </span><span class="str2">The dark, darkness, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for the upright,</span><br /><span class="heb">לַיְשָׁרִ֑ים</span> <span class="translit">(lay·šā·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l, Article | Adjective - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3477.htm">Strong's 3477: </a> </span><span class="str2">Straight, right</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for the one who is gracious,</span><br /><span class="heb">חַנּ֖וּן</span> <span class="translit">(ḥan·nūn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2587.htm">Strong's 2587: </a> </span><span class="str2">Gracious</span><br /><br /><span class="word">compassionate,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְרַח֣וּם</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ra·ḥūm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7349.htm">Strong's 7349: </a> </span><span class="str2">Compassionate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and righteous.</span><br /><span class="heb">וְצַדִּֽיק׃</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ṣad·dîq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6662.htm">Strong's 6662: </a> </span><span class="str2">Just, righteous</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/112-4.htm">Psalm 112:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/112-4.htm">Psalm 112:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/112-4.htm">Psalm 112:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/112-4.htm">Psalm 112:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/112-4.htm">Psalm 112:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/112-4.htm">Psalm 112:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/112-4.htm">Psalm 112:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/112-4.htm">Psalm 112:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/112-4.htm">Psalm 112:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/112-4.htm">Psalm 112:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/112-4.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 112:4 Light dawns in the darkness (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/112-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 112:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 112:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/112-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 112:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 112:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>