Psalm 111 verse 9: Hell awaits for the wicked!

Today the conclusion of this series on Psalm 111 with a look at the final verse:

Peccator videbit, et irascetur; dentibus suis fremet et tabescet : desiderium peccatorum peribit.

The wicked shall see, and shall be angry, he shall gnash with his teeth and pine away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.

Looking at the text

Peccator (the sinner) videbit (will see), et (and) irascetur (he will be angry)

peccator, oris, m.  a sinner, transgressor; the wicked, the godless.

video, vidi, vlsum, ere 2,  to see, behold; consider; experience, undergo, suffer, realize; keep watch, look for, meditate on

irascor, iratus sum, irasci to be angry or wrathful.

dentibus suis (his teeth) fremet (he gnashes) et (and) tabescet (he pines away)

dens, dentis, m.  a tooth;  to gnash the teeth; to break the teeth of one is to destroy his power, to render him harmless.

fremo, ui, itum, ere 3  to rage, clamor; dentibus fremere, to gnash the teeth.

tabesco, tabui, ere 3  to pine away, waste away, melt away, faint

desiderium (the desire) peccatorum (of sinners) peribit (it will perish)

desiderium, ii, n.  desire, longing, wish, yearning

pereo, ii, itum, ire,  to perish, come to naught, be lost;  stray, be lost.

Penetrating the meaning of the text

Why is it that evil-doers are not just committed to a life of sin, but seem so often to also be filled with anger and jealousy at the good?  

The psalm closes with a reminder that no matter the force of their wrath now, it is transitory, for they shall go down to that final death that is hell…

The psalm as a whole

1 Beatus vir qui timet Dominum : in mandatis ejus volet nimis

2 Potens in terra erit semen ejus; generatio rectorum benedicetur.

3 Gloria et divitiæ in domo ejus, et justitia ejus manet in sæculum sæculi. 

4 Exortum est in tenebris lumen rectis : misericors, et miserator, et justus. 

5 Jucundus homo qui miseretur et commodat; disponet sermones suos in judicio: quia in æternum non commovebitur.  

6 In memoria æterna erit justus; ab auditione mala non timebit.

7 Paratum cor ejus sperare in Domino, confirmatum est cor ejus; non commovebitur donec despiciat inimicos suos.

8 Dispersit, dedit pauperibus; justitia ejus manet in sæculum sæculi : cornu ejus exaltabitur in gloria.

9 Peccator videbit, et irascetur; dentibus suis fremet et tabescet : desiderium peccatorum peribit.

Psalm 111 vs 8: Invest in the poor

Verse 8 of Psalm 111 reads:

Dispersit, dedit pauperibus; justitia ejus manet in sæculum sæculi : cornu ejus exaltabitur in gloria.

He has distributed, he has given to the poor: his justice remains for ever and ever: his horn shall be exalted in glory. 

Looking at the text

Dispérsit (he has dispersed), dedit (he has given) paupéribus (to the poor) = he has lavishly given to the poor

dispergo, spersi, spersum, ere 3  scatter, disperse; separate, loose;. take away, withdraw; roam abroad, to wander about

do, dedi, datum, are, to give,

justítia ejus (his justice) manet (it abides) in sæculum sæculi (forever)= his justice abides forever

cornu ejus (his horn) exaltábitur (it will be exalted) in glória (in glory)=his horn will be exalted in glory

cornu, us, n.  the horn of animals, of the bull, ram, etc; symbols of strength, power, glory, pride, or dominion

Penetrating the meaning

St John Chrysostom argues that the lavish giving implied here is not a matter of the quantum of almsgiving, but rather how much it really impacts on our own standard of living.  

And he argues that we should treat almsgiving like an investment, or like the sowing of seed by a farmer, for we shall indeed reap a reward in due course:

"It is quite clear that he means the one who deprives himself of what he has, the one who unsparingly makes his things available, as Paul requires in the words, "The one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully."…So when you see that gold is lovely, and you are reluctant to throw it away, think of the sowers, think of the investors, think of the merchants, who begin with outlay and expenditure, each of them entrusting this to insecure ventures; waves and hollows of the ground, after all, and debtors' receipts are all insecure. Inves­tors frequently sustain a loss of their capital, you recall, whereas the one who tills the heavens has none of these risks to fear, but has grounds for confidence about capital and interest - if, that is, we should call this sort of thing interest and not something far more significant than capital. Capital, after all, is money, whereas heaven's interest is the kingdom. Do you see the kind of invest­ment involved, bearing an interest far in excess of the capital?...”

The psalm as a whole

1 Beatus vir qui timet Dominum : in mandatis ejus volet nimis

2 Potens in terra erit semen ejus; generatio rectorum benedicetur.

3 Gloria et divitiæ in domo ejus, et justitia ejus manet in sæculum sæculi. 

4 Exortum est in tenebris lumen rectis : misericors, et miserator, et justus. 

5 Jucundus homo qui miseretur et commodat; disponet sermones suos in judicio: quia in æternum non commovebitur.  

6 In memoria æterna erit justus; ab auditione mala non timebit.

7 Paratum cor ejus sperare in Domino, confirmatum est cor ejus; non commovebitur donec despiciat inimicos suos.

8 Dispersit, dedit pauperibus; justitia ejus manet in sæculum sæculi : cornu ejus exaltabitur in gloria.

9 Peccator videbit, et irascetur; dentibus suis fremet et tabescet : desiderium peccatorum peribit.

And for notes on the final verse of the psalm, go here.

Psalm 111 vs 7: Victory is sure!

Verse 7 of Psalm 111 reads:

Paratum cor ejus sperare in Domino, confirmatum est cor ejus; non commovebitur donec despiciat inimicos suos.

His heart is ready to hope in the Lord: His heart is strengthened, he shall not be moved until he look over his enemies

Looking at the Latin

Parátum (prepared) cor (heart) ejus (his) = his heart [is] prepared/ready

speráre (to hope) in Dómino (in the Lord)

confirmátum est (it is confirmed/established/strengthened) cor ejus (his heart) = his heart is made steady/strengthened

paro, avi, atum, are,  to prepare, make ready,  furnish, equip, fit out, provide, make firm, establish

cor, cordis, n., the heart, regarded as the seat of the faculties, feelings, emotions, passions; the mind, the soul.

spero, avi, atum, are, to hope or trust in

confirmo, avi, atum, are, to strengthen, confirm, establish; in the passive, to be sustained, supported, stayed

non commovébitur (he will not be moved) donec (until) despíciat (he can look down upon) inimícos suos (his enemies) =  [ie sees his enemies defeated]

donec, conj., till, until

despicio, spexi, spectum, ere 3 to look away from, not to look at, to slight; to despise; to look down upon

Penetrating the meaning of the text

It is one of the strange mysteries of life that the good inevitably attract enemies: but what distinguishes the good man is that he looks steadfastly to God for help, knowing that ultimately, victory is certain.

St Robert Bellarmine comments:

“This is the seventh blessing of the soul that feareth God; a firm and fixed reliance on the divine protection, through which it fears no evil. "His heart is ready to hope in the Lord." That is, in every adversity, in every imminent danger, his heart is ready to take refuge in God, because he is always prepared and ready to hope in God, never loses sight of God's assistance, never dis­trusts him, never hesitates in putting faith in him. His heart is strengthened in such confidence, so that there is no danger of his failing in it. "He shall not be moved until he look over his enemies." He never will have the slightest fear of any impending danger from his enemies, and, of course, much less when he shall look down upon them prostrate and vanquished.”


The psalm as a whole

1 Beatus vir qui timet Dominum : in mandatis ejus volet nimis

2 Potens in terra erit semen ejus; generatio rectorum benedicetur.

3 Gloria et divitiæ in domo ejus, et justitia ejus manet in sæculum sæculi. 

4 Exortum est in tenebris lumen rectis : misericors, et miserator, et justus. 

5 Jucundus homo qui miseretur et commodat; disponet sermones suos in judicio: quia in æternum non commovebitur.  

6 In memoria æterna erit justus; ab auditione mala non timebit.

7 Paratum cor ejus sperare in Domino, confirmatum est cor ejus; non commovebitur donec despiciat inimicos suos.

8 Dispersit, dedit pauperibus; justitia ejus manet in sæculum sæculi : cornu ejus exaltabitur in gloria.

9 Peccator videbit, et irascetur; dentibus suis fremet et tabescet : desiderium peccatorum peribit.

For notes on verse 8, go here.

Psalm 111 vs 6: Good deeds live on...

Verse 6 of Psalm 111 reads:

In memoria æterna erit justus; ab auditione mala non timebit.

The just shall be in everlasting remembrance: he shall not fear the evil hearing.

Looking at the text

 In memória (in memory/remembrance) ætérna (forever) erit (he will be) justus (the just) = the just man will be remembered forever

memoria, ae, f  memory, remembrance.

ab (from ) auditióne (hearing/reporting/tidings) mala (evil) non timébit (he will not fear) = he will not fear from evil tidings

auditio onis, f.  anything which one hears reported, a hearing, report.

auditio mala, an evil report, evil tidings

Penetrating the meaning of the verse

The Fathers give each of the phrases in this verse a double meaning.  

First, the just person will be remembered on earth: human monuments crumble and are forgotten, but good deeds live on.  

More importantly though, the just man's name is written in the book of life, and need not fear the dread judgment of God consigning him or her to hell.  St Robert Bellamne summarises the message thus:

“The sixth happiness of the person fearing God is, that he will always live in the memory of man, not by reason of his crimes, as do Judas and Cain, Herod and Pilate, Annas and Caiphas; his memory will be a glorious one, "and all the church of the saints shall declare" his praises; and not only that, but he will be "in everlasting remembrance" among men; and his name, too, will be written in the book of life, never to be blotted out, and thus really and truly he will be "in everlasting remembrance" with the angels in heaven. "He shall not fear the evil hearing;" he will not fear the detractions and reproofs of the wicked, nor will he fear that frightful sentence of the eternal Judge, "Go ye cursed into everlasting fire."”

The psalm as a whole

Beatus vir qui timet Dominum : in mandatis ejus volet nimis
 2 Potens in terra erit semen ejus; generatio rectorum benedicetur.
3 Gloria et divitiæ in domo ejus, et justitia ejus manet in sæculum sæculi.
4 Exortum est in tenebris lumen rectis : misericors, et miserator, et justus.
5 Jucundus homo qui miseretur et commodat; disponet sermones suos in judicio: quia in æternum non commovebitur. 
6 In memoria æterna erit justus; ab auditione mala non timebit. 
7 Paratum cor ejus sperare in Domino, confirmatum est cor ejus; non commovebitur donec despiciat inimicos suos.
8 Dispersit, dedit pauperibus; justitia ejus manet in sæculum sæculi : cornu ejus exaltabitur in gloria.
9 Peccator videbit, et irascetur; dentibus suis fremet et tabescet : desiderium peccatorum peribit.

And for notes on verse 7, continue on here.

Psalm 110 vs 5: Generosity and staying the course

Verse 5 of Psalm 111 reads:

Jucundus homo qui miseretur et commodat; disponet sermones suos in judicio: quia in æternum non commovebitur.  

Acceptable is the man that shows mercy and lends: he shall order his words with judgment: Because he shall not be moved for ever. 

Looking at the words

Jucúndus (happy/pleasing/acceptable) homo (the man) qui (who) miserétur (has pity/shows mercy) et (and) cómmodat (lends/obliges)

This first phrase is difficult to translate.  Coverdale's is perhaps the most elegant rendition: 'A good man is merciful, and lendeth'.  Brenton's version from the Septuagint makes it 'The good man is he that pities and lends'; while the Monastic Diurnal is perhaps best in terms of providing a translation that brings us back to the beatitude that opens the psalm, making it 'Blessed is the man that showeth mercy and lendeth'.  

jucundus, a, um pleasing, acceptable; happy, fortunate; good;  sweet, pleasant.

homo, inis, m  man, a human being; mortal man as compared with God; person, individual

misereor, sertus sum, eri 2, to pity, have mercy on.

commodo, avi, atum, are to lend, oblige, adapt one's self to suit another person.

dispónet (he arranges/directs) sermónes (words/affairs) suos (his) in judício (with judgment) = he directs his words/affairs with judgment (ie he is careful in what he says and does)

dispono, posui, positum, ere 3, to set in order, to arrange, dispose, prepare;

sermo, onis, m. words; a command, edict word, speech, saying, discourse;  scheme, plan, proposal

judicium, i, n.  judgment, decrees; law, commandment; the power, or faculty of judging wisely; justice.

quia (for) in ætérnum (forever) non commovébitur (he will not be moved/shaken/falter) =for he will not be moved forever = he will not ever falter

quia, conj. for, because, that. truly, surely, indeed;  nisi quia, unless, if not. ie But God does not keep our sins

aeternus, a, um eternal. Forever

commoveo, movi, motum, ere 2 to move, shake, agitate, disturb, waver, falter, hesitate, fail; tremble from fear,

Penetrating the meaning of the verse

Here we have a synonym for ‘beatus’ in the form of ‘jucundus’, or happy, this time applied to the person who does good in practical things: governing his own affairs with prudence, and giving to others with generosity.  

And his reward is that state we are granted in heaven, where are wills are fixed forever in the good.

But there is also, perhaps, a more immediate meaning in the second half of the verse: the just person is someone who persists in doing what is right, unmoved by the views of those of this world; he is not a reed that bends and breaks in the wind.

The psalm as a whole

1 Beatus vir qui timet Dominum : in mandatis ejus volet nimis

2 Potens in terra erit semen ejus; generatio rectorum benedicetur.

3 Gloria et divitiæ in domo ejus, et justitia ejus manet in sæculum sæculi. 

4 Exortum est in tenebris lumen rectis : misericors, et miserator, et justus. 

5 Jucundus homo qui miseretur et commodat; disponet sermones suos in judicio: quia in æternum non commovebitur.  

6 In memoria æterna erit justus; ab auditione mala non timebit.

7 Paratum cor ejus sperare in Domino, confirmatum est cor ejus; non commovebitur donec despiciat inimicos suos.

8 Dispersit, dedit pauperibus; justitia ejus manet in sæculum sæculi : cornu ejus exaltabitur in gloria.

9 Peccator videbit, et irascetur; dentibus suis fremet et tabescet : desiderium peccatorum peribit.

For notes on verse 6, follow the link here.

Psalm 111 vs 4: Be a light to the world

Verse 4 of Psalm 111 reads:

Exortum est in tenebris lumen rectis : misericors, et miserator, et justus. 

To the righteous a light is risen up in darkness: he is merciful, and compassionate and just.

Looking at the words

Exórtum est (it has risen) in ténebris (in the darkness) lumen (the/a light) rectis (to the upright)

=a light to the righteous has risen in the darkness

exorior ortus sum iri  - to rise, spring up, appear

tenebrae, arum, f.  darkness; ignorancey; Sheol; misfortune. danger; horror, shuddering.

lumen, inis, n.  light

rectus, a, um, part. adj. just, right, righteous, upright; the just, just men, the good; steadfast, stable, steady

miséricors, et miserátor, et justus = [he is] abounding in mercy and merciful and just

misericors, cordis  merciful, abounding in mercy.

miserator, oris, m.  merciful, one who shows mercy.

justus, a, um  Of God: just; Of men: as a subst., a just man, the just.

Penetrating the meaning of the verse

The double meaning of the psalm as appplicable both to Christ, as the perfecxt model of the just man, and to those called to imitate him is perhaps most evident in this verse.  

The Gospels contain numerous references to Christ as the light in the darkness, a guide to us in times of trouble; the Gospels give numerous examples of his mercy, compassion and justness.  

Yet we too are called to be the light of the world, and show out our good works.

The Psalm as a whole

1 Beatus vir qui timet Dominum : in mandatis ejus volet nimis

2 Potens in terra erit semen ejus; generatio rectorum benedicetur.

3 Gloria et divitiæ in domo ejus, et justitia ejus manet in sæculum sæculi. 

4 Exortum est in tenebris lumen rectis : misericors, et miserator, et justus. 

5 Jucundus homo qui miseretur et commodat; disponet sermones suos in judicio: quia in æternum non commovebitur.  

6 In memoria æterna erit justus; ab auditione mala non timebit.

7 Paratum cor ejus sperare in Domino, confirmatum est cor ejus; non commovebitur donec despiciat inimicos suos.

8 Dispersit, dedit pauperibus; justitia ejus manet in sæculum sæculi : cornu ejus exaltabitur in gloria.

9 Peccator videbit, et irascetur; dentibus suis fremet et tabescet : desiderium peccatorum peribit.

And for notes on verse 5, continue on here.

Psalm 111 vs 3: The promise of heavenly glory

Verse 3 of Psalm 111 continues the beatitude, explaining the good that (eventually) comes to the just man:

Gloria et divitiæ in domo ejus, et justitia ejus manet in sæculum sæculi. 
Glory and wealth shall be in his house: and his justice remains for ever and ever.

Looking at the words

Glória (glory), et (and) divítiæ (riches) in (in) domo (house) ejus (his) = glory and riches [are/shall be] in/with his house

gloria, ae, f glory, honor, majesty
divitiae, arum, f riches, wealth, abundance.
in+abl = with, in, on among, by means of

et (and) justítia (justice/righteousness) ejus (his) manet (it abides) in sæculum sæculi (forever)  = and his justice abides forever/for ever more

Note that the underlying Greek (dikaiosune) and Hebrew can also be translated as meaning ‘righteousness’, so one could interpret this phrase as saying that the just man will remain forever in a state of grace (ie once in heaven).

justitia, ae, f justice, righteousness, innocence, piety, moral integrity
maneo, mansi, mansum, ere 2 to abide, remain, continue.
saeculum, i, n., a lifetime, generation, age; an indefinite period of time; forever, eternity; from of old, i.e., in ages past.

Penetrating the meaning

Interpreting this verse overly literally is obviously problematic: as Pope Benedict XVI’s commentary on the verse points out, the optimistic vision of wealth and acclaim in the here and now are often not the reality in this life, as the figure of Job illustrates:

“However, to this optimistic vision are opposed the bitter observations made by Job, a just man who experiences the mystery of sorrow, feels himself unjustly punished and subjected to apparently senseless trials. Job represents many people who suffer harshly in the world. It is necessary then to read this Psalm in the global context of Revelation, which embraces the reality of human life under all its aspects. At any rate, the trust the Psalmist wishes to communicate and be lived by those who have chosen to follow the path of morally irreprehensible conduct remains valid, rejecting every other alternative of illusory success gained through injustice and immorality.”

The second half of the verse is a repeat of verse 3 of the previous psalm.  In the previous psalm, though, it was clearly applied to God alone; while Christ is the ultimate 'just man', here it can also be interpreted as applying to any just man.

Cultivating our spiritual life

The core of the verse is, I think, is best captured by Cassiodorus, who views our inner life as the ‘house’ in question here:

“The house of the blessed man is the inner sanctum of the mind, in which all who fulfil the Lord's precepts store their sacred riches and enduring glory. That glory has no end; those riches do not vanish by malevolent theft, but emanate from the Lord's commands, and whatever is gained from them is preserved undamaged for ever.”

The verse is a reminder then, to store up our treasure in heaven, rather than in the material things of this world.

For notes on the next verse, continue on here.