BLESSED SHALT THOU BE.
Psalm 128:1-6.
There are two words translated “blessed” in this Psalm. The first is ‘Esher,’ from which we have the name ‘Asher,’ and it means ‘how blessed,’ or ‘happy.’ So we have, “How blessed is every one that fears the LORD” (Psalm 128:1); but then, “happy shalt thou be” (Psalm 128:2).
The second word is ‘Barakh,’ and the context indicates that this blessing is the blessing wherewith the LORD blesses man. Hence we have, “thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD” (Psalm 128:4); and “The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion” (Psalm 128:5).
PSALM 128:1. The “fear” of the LORD is not craven fear, a fear of dread; but rather to reverence Him, to honour Him for who He is. ‘The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom’ (cf. Proverbs 9:10). And the God fearing man has present blessings, even as he “walketh in His ways” (cf. Psalm 119:1).
PSALM 128:2. “For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands.” The LORD promises a blessing on those who labour for their living. Employment is a gift of God, and we are commanded ‘with quietness to work’ (cf. 2 Thessalonians 3:12) in the full knowledge that the LORD thus supplies all our needs.
Thus also, “happy shalt thou be.” Happiness heaped up for those who are hardworking and God fearing! “And it shall be well with thee.”
PSALM 128:3a. ‘It is not good for man to be alone’ (cf. Genesis 2:18), so the next person to be mentioned is the good man’s good wife. She is at “the sides of thine house” – at his side, supporting him. “Like a fruitful vine” – not only fruitful to bear children, but fruitful in the things of God, and fruitful in the right management of the home.
PSALM 128:3b. “Thy children” shall be “like olive plants around thy table.” The picture is of tender young olive plants growing up around their parent tree. I have recollections of my own upbringing, when we would remain around the table after Sunday dinner, making conversation as a family. Reflecting on his afflictions, Job mentioned the loss of his children as the foremost indication that the Almighty had withdrawn from him (cf. Job 29:5).
Sometimes we may fear that our children are but wild olives, but nurture will yet catch up with them that they may be grafted in to partake of the ‘root and fatness of the (good) olive tree’ (cf. Romans 11:17).
PSALM 128:4. “Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD” (cf. Psalm 1:1-3). Not all blessed men are fathers, but this Psalm speaks of such blessings as the appropriate portion of godly parents. ‘I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth’ (cf. 3 John 1:4).
PSALM 128:5. “The LORD shall bless the out of Zion.” The blessings of special grace flow from the place where the LORD is (cf. Numbers 6:24-26; Psalm 20:2). “And thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.” Blessings overflow in all directions: to the family, to the worshipping community, and to the nation. And the blessed man can look forward to a long life.
PSALM 128:6a. “Yea, thou shalt see children’s children.” ‘Children's children are the crown of old men’ (cf. Proverbs 17:6).
PSALM 128:6b. “And peace upon Israel.” We pray regularly for the ‘peace of Jerusalem’ (cf. Psalm 122:6), and for the salvation of Israel. Thus we pray also for the welfare of the church of our Lord Jesus Christ throughout the world, and to the end of the age.
The LORD here pledges to favourably answer such prayers with ‘the peace which passes all understanding’ (cf. Philippians 4:7); even ‘peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ’ (cf. Romans 5:1).
