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LXX Psalms

Septuagint

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Psalm 111

1 Hallelujah. Blessed is the man that fears the Lord: he will delight greatly in his commandments. 2 His seed shall be mighty in the earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed. 3 Glory and riches shall be in his house; and his righteousness endures for evermore. 4 To the upright light has sprung up in darkness: he is compassionate, and merciful, and righteous. 5 The good man is he that pities and lends: he will direct his affairs with judgment. 6 For he shall not be moved for ever; the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. 7 He shall not be afraid of any evil report: his heart is ready to trust in the Lord. 8 His heart is established, he shall not fear, till he shall see his desire upon his enemies. 9 He has dispersed abroad; he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures for evermore:⁠ his horn shall be exalted with honor. 10 The sinner shall see and be angry, he shall gnash his teeth, and consume away: the desire of sinners shall perish.

Texts in conversation

Compare LXX Psalms 111:9 and 2 Corinthians 9:9

Septuagint · New Testament

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Summary

In 2 Corinthians, Paul encourages generosity by quoting the Greek Septuagint translation of Psalm 111, which describes a righteous person who gives freely to those in need. Paul adapts this image to urge the Corinthians to support struggling believers.

Passages

LXX Psalms 111:9

Septuagint
7 He shall not be afraid of any evil report: his heart is ready to trust in the Lord. 8 His heart is established, he shall not fear, till he shall see his desire upon his enemies. 9 He has dispersed abroad; he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures for evermore: his horn shall be exalted with honor. 10 The sinner shall see and be angry, he shall gnash his teeth, and consume away: the desire of sinners shall perish.
100–1 BCE (scholarly estimate) Read in LXX Psalms

2 Corinthians 9:9

New Testament
7 Each one of you should give just as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, because God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace overflow to you so that because you have enough of everything in every way at all times, you will overflow in every good work. 9 Just as it is written, “He has scattered widely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness remains forever.” 10 Now God who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide and multiply your supply of seed and will cause the harvest of your righteousness to grow. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you may be generous on every occasion, which is producing through us thanksgiving to God,
55–57 CE (scholarly estimate) Read in 2 Corinthians

References

"... The discussion here is not exhaustive, and certainly other Old Testament texts featured (though perhaps less prominently) in early Christian discourse about atoning almsgiving. Cyprian, e.g., cites LXX Job 1:5 to claim that almsgiving can purge even the sins of one’s children. Mention here should at least be made of the portrayal of the righteous individual in Psalm 112, not least because the apostle Paul cites Psalm 112:9 in 2 Corinthians 9:9 in the context of an appeal for the Corinthians to give generously to needy believers in Jerusalem. The individual in Psalm 112 is described as “merciful and compassionate and righteous”, and among his virtuous practices are a compassionate willingness to lend (verse 5). Psalm 112:9 is particularly pertinent not only because of Paul’s later citation but also because it appears to link generosity with the reward of righteousness ..."
David J. Downs, Alms: Charity, Reward, and Atonement in Early Christianity (Waco, TX: Baylor University Press, 2016), 56.

References are not endorsements of their contents. Read each reference in full to understand its author's intentions in using these texts.

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  • Giving is of God's image and his likeness, nobody can out give the LORD but it is a privilege to give cheerfully what we are able whenever we can!

    George S.Martinez, July 6, 2026

LXX Psalms 111:9 and 2 Corinthians 9:9

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