Psalms128
King James Version · Public Domain
1 Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways.
2 For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.
3 Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.
4 Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord.
5 The Lord shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.
6 Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children, and peace upon Israel.
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Psalms 128Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Psalms 128. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The blessings of those who fear God. (1-6).
vv1-6
Only those who are truly holy, are truly happy. In vain do we pretend to be of those that fear God, if we do not make conscience of keeping stedfastly to his ways. Blessed is every one that fears the Lord; whether he be high or low, rich or poor in the world. If thou fear him and walk in his ways, all shall be well with thee while thou livest, better when thou diest, best of all in eternity. By the blessing of God, the godly shall get an honest livelihood. Here is a double promise; they shall have something to do, for an idle life is a miserable, uncomfortable life, and shall have health and strength, and power of mind to do it. They shall not be forced to live upon the labours of other people. It is as much a mercy as a duty, with quietness to work and eat our own bread. They and theirs shall enjoy what they get. Such as fear the Lord and walk in his ways, are the only happy persons, whatever their station in life may be. They shall have abundant comfort in their family relations. And they shall have all the good things God has promised, and which they pray for. A good man can have little comfort in seeing his children's children, unless he sees peace upon Israel. Every true believer rejoices in the prosperity of the church. Hereafter we shall see greater things, with the everlasting peace and rest that remain for the Israel of God.
Key Words
שִׁיר: a song; abstractly, singing
מַעֲלָה: elevation, i.e. the act (literally, a journey to a higher place, figuratively, a thought arising), or (concretely) the condition (literally, a step or grademark, figuratively, a superiority of station); specifically a climactic progression (in certain Psalms)
אֶשֶׁר: happiness; only in masculine plural construction as interjection, how happy!
יָרֵא: fearing; morally, reverent
הָלַךְ: to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
דֶּרֶךְ: a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
אָכַל: to eat (literally or figuratively)
יְגִיעַ: toil; hence, a work, produce, property (as the result of labor)
כַּף: the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-tree); figuratively, power
טוֹב: good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a good man or woman; the good, goods or good things, good men or women), also as an adverb (well)
Cross References
Psalms 128Poole contrasts eating the labor of one's hands with Deuteronomy's curse of others eating it.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
JFB notes Zec 8 as a virtual commentary, specifically correlating children in the streets/table.
Supported by JFB
Both Psalms close with the identical blessing and prayer: 'peace upon Israel'.
Supported by JFB
Calvin highlights enjoying the fruit of one's labor as the reversal of the covenant curse.
Supported by John Calvin
JFB connects the flourishing family to the metaphor of the luxuriant green olive tree.
Supported by JFB
Calvin notes the identical core principle: true blessedness belongs to those who fear Jehovah.
Supported by John Calvin
Calvin connects the previous Psalm's declaration of children as a heritage to this Psalm's olive plants.
Supported by John Calvin
Poole links personal, domestic happiness with seeking and rejoicing in the peace of Jerusalem.
Supported by Matthew Poole