Psalms 128

Psalms 128:1

Psalm 128: The Blessing of the Lord128:1 The believer who really enjoys life to the hilt is the one who acknowledges the LORD in every area of life and who walks in practical obedience to the Word of God. Under the law of Moses this man was rewarded with natural blessings. 128:2 Longevity. He did not die prematurely but lived to enjoy the material wealth for which he had labored. Happiness. He enjoyed freedom from discord and strife, and the joyful contentment of having God’s countenance shining upon him. Prosperity. Things went well with him. He was protected from calamity, blight, drought, pestilence and defeat. 128:3 Productivity. Like a fruitful vine, his wife bore many children. There they are, clustered around his table, like tender olive plantsfull of vim, vigor and vitality. 128:4 In the Dispensation of Grace, the believer is already blessed in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places (Eph_1:3). But as Williams says, “faith can spiritualize the material blessings of this song and make them real and present.” Better than long life on earth is the life of the Lord Jesus energizing us. No happiness can compare with that of the soul set free. Soul prosperity is the best prosperity. And spiritual reproduction surpasses the joys of physical fertility. 128:5, 6 The last two verses of the Psalm may be read as a promise or a prayer. Following the latter, they ask that the LORD will bless His believing people from His dwelling place in the sanctuary in Zion or from His throne in Jerusalem. They ask that the godly might see the prosperity of Jerusalem as long as they live. They ask for long life to enjoy the second generation of offspring. And they pray for peace upon Israel. The Psalm joyfully anticipates the future blessedness of the individual and the nation when Israel’s King returns and reigns in righteousness.