Psalms 112:6 · Bible study
Psalms 112:6 Commentary: The Unshakable and Remembered Righteous
Hebrew · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
An exegetical study of Psalm 112:6, examining the promise that the righteous will never be shaken and will be remembered forever, in light of trials and
Research Summary
- Meaning: The righteous person is anchored securely in God’s covenant; his reputation and legacy endure forever.
- Key words: Shaken (מוֹט), to totter or be overthrown; Remembrance (זֵכֶר), a memorial; Forever (עוֹלָם), long duration, perpetuity.
- Main debate: Whether the promises of stability and remembrance apply to temporal circumstances or are ultimately eschatological.
- Theological theme: Covenant faithfulness and reward; the security of those who fear the Lord.
- Best use: Preaching assurance in times of crisis or for funerals/legacy services; encouraging believers that their labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
Surely he will never be shaken; the righteous man will be remembered forever.
WEB World English Bible 2000
For he will never be shaken. The righteous will be remembered forever.
KJV King James Version 1769
Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
For he shall never be moved; The righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
For--to the age he is not moved; For a memorial age-during is the righteous.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
For he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
and looketh down on the low things in heaven and in earth?
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Por lo cual no resbalará para siempre: en memoria eterna será el justo.
Certamente ele nunca se abalará; o justo será lembrado para sempre.
Car il ne chancelle jamais;
Denn er wird ewiglich bleiben; des Gerechten wird nimmermehr vergessen.
Caph. Zekerlijk, hij zal in der eeuwigheid niet wankelen; Lamed. de rechtvaardige zal in eeuwige gedachtenis zijn.
poiché non sarà mai smosso; la memoria del giusto sarà perpetua.
Bo na wieki nie będzie poruszony; w pamięci wiecznej będzie sprawiedliwy.
приклоняется, чтобы призирать на небо и на землю;
他永 不 動搖；義人 被記念，直到永遠。
He will not ever be moved; the memory of the upright will be living for ever.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Psalms 112:6
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that Psalm 112:6 makes a sweeping promise about the righteous, but they uniformly caution against reading it as an unconditional guarantee of trouble-free life. Barnes calls it a general truth: religion tends toward permanency and respect, but a good man may still face business failure, sickness, or death. Matthew Henry highlights the believer’s settled reputation: the righteous have a name with God and good people, and their memory is kept alive, especially in heaven. Keil and Delitzsch see the verse as describing the righteous standing imperturbably fast and becoming an object of everlasting remembrance after death. Gill extends the promise to ultimate security, the righteous will never be moved out of God’s love, the covenant, or Christ’s hand, and notes that even if they fall into sin, they will not perish finally. In other words, the stability and remembrance are anchored in God’s covenantal faithfulness, not in the absence of all earthly hardship.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: Righteousness rooted in the fear of the Lord results in a security and honor that God ultimately preserves, regardless of temporary setbacks.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Scope of 'never be shaken' | The righteous have a fundamental stability in God that cannot be overthrown. | Some take it as a promise of temporal safety from disaster, while others see it as ultimate security that does not preclude hardships now. |
| Meaning of 'everlasting remembrance' | The righteous are honored and their deeds are kept before God. | Interpreters differ on whether this refers primarily to earthly reputation, God's book of remembrance, or the final resurrection. |
| Application of the promises | The promises apply to those characterized by the fear of the Lord and righteous living. | Some apply them to every righteous individual in all situations, while others treat them as general principles with exceptions (e.g., the righteous may suffer displacement or be forgotten by history). |
| Connection to Psalm 111 | Psalm 112 is closely linked to Psalm 111 in structure and vocabulary. | Most see Psalm 112 as an intentional counterpart to Psalm 111, possibly by the same author; some consider it a later imitation. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Psalm 112 is a wisdom psalm that closely mirrors the structure of Psalm 111. Both are acrostic (each line begins with the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet). Psalm 111 celebrates God’s covenant loyalty; Psalm 112 applies that same faithfulness to the person who fears the Lord. The psalm presents a portrait of the righteous: one who fears God, delights in His commandments, is generous, just, and unafraid of bad news. Verse 6 serves as the anchor of that portrait.
In the ancient Near East, one’s “name” or memory was enormously important. To be forgotten was a curse, it meant being cut off from the community and from any future. Conversely, being remembered was a blessing, especially if one’s name was associated with righteous deeds. The promise that the righteous will be an “everlasting memorial” (לְזֵכֶר עוֹלָם) would have resonated deeply in a culture that valued lasting reputation and family legacy.
The verb “shaken” (מוֹט, mot) carries the sense of tottering or being overthrown, sometimes used of a falling kingdom or a slipping foot. In Psalms, it often describes those whose trust is in God: they will not be shaken (Psalm 15:5; 55:22; 62:2,6; 125:1). So the phrase he will never be shaken echoes a key theme of the Psalter, the security of those who take refuge in the Lord.
Yet the same Psalter also contains laments where the psalmist feels shaken (Psalm 13:4; 46:2-3). This tension suggests that the promise is not a formula for pain-free existence but a declaration of final, covenantal stability. The psalm’s setting (perhaps post-exilic, as some commentators note) reinforces this: a community that had experienced displacement needed to hear that the righteous still stand firm in God’s eyes, and that their deeds are remembered forever.
Textual Notes
The supplied sources and critical apparatus note no significant textual variants for Psalm 112:6. The Hebrew text is stable across manuscripts. The verse is cited in the Vulgate and later translations with consistent wording.
Reception History
Throughout church history, Psalm 112:6 has been read as a source of assurance for believers. The early church saw it as pointing to the eternal security of the saints (e.g., in God’s book of life). Medieval commentators often spiritualized the “remembrance” as the honor of being named before the heavenly court. The Reformers, particularly Calvin, used it to encourage believers that their labor in the Lord is not vain, even when outwardly they suffer. In Protestant funeral liturgies, the verse has been a staple: “the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.” It is also paired with Proverbs 10:7 to teach the lasting legacy of a godly life. Modern translations render the first half as “he will not be moved forever,” which has been sung in hymns of refuge and trust.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Stability in a shaken world. The righteous person has an anchor that holds amid life’s storms, not immunity from trouble, but a deep-rooted security in God.
- Legacy that outlives us. True remembrance is not about fame; it is about being held in God’s memory and honored in the community of faith for generations.
- Contrast with the wicked. Verse 10 shows the wicked gnashing and melting away. The righteous endure; the wicked do not. The hope of the righteous is not just survival but a lasting name.
Five-point outline
- The foundation of the promise: fear of the Lord and delight in His commands (v.1).
- The character of the righteous: gracious, merciful, generous (vv.4-5).
- The standing of the righteous: imperturbable stability (v.6a).
- The legacy of the righteous: everlasting remembrance (v.6b).
- The vindication of the righteous: the wicked’s end contrasts with the righteous’s lasting honor (v.10).
Illustration hooks
- A family heirloom passed down through generations, the memory of a faithful grandparent whose quiet generosity still shapes the family.
- A huge storm that topples trees with shallow roots, but the oak with deep roots remains. The righteous dig their roots deep into God.
- Someone facing a health scare or bad news, the verse promises that even when the ground shakes, their place in God’s hands does not.
Questions your congregation is asking
- “If I’m righteous, why do I still feel shaken by anxiety or loss?”
- “Will I be forgotten after I die? Does my life matter in the long run?”
- “What if I fail or fall? Does this promise still apply to me?”
Leading a Discussion
The promise of Psalm 112:6 can feel distant when life is unstable. This study helps the group explore what the verse actually means, and what it doesn’t, so we can hold onto true security. Begin by reading Psalm 112:1-6 together, then discuss the questions below.
Discussion questions
- What does the phrase “never be shaken” bring to mind? Describe a time you felt shaken as a believer.
- Look at Psalm 112:1-5. What kind of person is being described in verses 1-5? How do those verses set up verse 6?
- The Hebrew word for “shaken” (מוֹט) can mean to totter or slip. How does that image connect to the promise of “not be moved forever”?
- What does it mean for the righteous to be “in everlasting remembrance”? Is this about earthly fame, or something deeper?
- Barnes and other commentators say these promises are general, not absolute in every detail. Why is that distinction important for our faith?
- How does verse 6 fit with verses 7-10, especially the contrast with the wicked? What comfort do you draw from that contrast?
- In what area of your life do you most need to hear the promise “you will not be shaken” right now? How can your group pray for one another in light of this verse?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Nehemiah 13:22 | I commanded the Levites that they should purify themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the Sabbath day. Remember me for this also, my God, and spare me according to the greatness of your loving kindness. |
| Nehemiah 13:31 | and for the wood offering, at appointed times, and for the first fruits. Remember me, my God, for good. |
| Psalms 15:5 | he who doesn’t lend out his money for usury, nor take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be shaken. |
| Psalms 55:22 | Cast your burden on Yahweh and he will sustain you. He will never allow the righteous to be moved. |
| Psalms 62:2 | He alone is my rock, my salvation, and my fortress. I will never be greatly shaken. |
| Psalms 62:6 | He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress. I will not be shaken. |
| Psalms 125:1 | A Song of Ascents. Those who trust in Yahweh are as Mount Zion, which can’t be moved, but remains forever. |
| Proverbs 10:7 | The memory of the righteous is blessed, but the name of the wicked will rot. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
8 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes qualifies the promise of stability and lasting remembrance for the righteous. He explains that while a good person may still suffer misfortune or die, religion tends toward permanence and a steady reputation. The righteous are remembered because their character inspires people to cherish their name, unlike the wicked who are forgotten.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin contrasts the common worldly view that happiness comes from plunder and injustice with the psalmist's assertion that God's fatherly care is more beneficial than any ill-gotten gain. The prophet calls us back to integrity by holding out the certain hope of reward that attends those who fear the Lord.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
Surely he shall neuer be moued: but the righteous shalbe had in euerlasting remembrance.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill insists the righteous cannot ultimately be lost: they are secure in God's love, covenant, and Christ's hands, though they may stumble. Their remembrance is twofold—people honor their godly lives, but God Himself keeps a lasting record of their thoughts and deeds.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
not be moved —(compare Psa 13:4 ; Psa 15:5 ).
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch insist the three adjectives in verse 4 describe God, not the righteous person, because the Hebrew words for gracious and merciful never take the article. God Himself is the light that rises in darkness for the upright, the Sun of righteousness whose rays dispense grace and tender mercies.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry emphasizes that the righteous may be shaken temporarily but will never be permanently moved. Their reputation endures both on earth and in heaven, where memory and honor last forever. The wicked, by contrast, see this and are consumed with grief while their own desires vanish.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley draws a sharp distinction between temporary affliction and eternal destruction. The believer may be shaken or distressed for a season, but that suffering will never lead to final ruin. The promise is that though troubles come, they cannot end in permanent loss.