Psalms 128 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.

Psalms 128:1-6.-The fear of God brings blessedness. Israel, returned from Babylon, and suffering through the Samaritan foes, is hereby comforted. The community, not merely the individual fearer of God, as in Psalms 127:1-5, is referred to (cf. Psalms 128:5-6; Lamentations 3:1).

Blessed is everyone that feareth the Lord that walketh in his ways. The true way to show, we 'fear the Lord' is by 'walking in His ways.' Those alone are entitled to the promised 'blessedness' who, by obedience, evidence the reality of their faith and reverential fear toward God.

For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.

For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands (Isaiah 3:10) - instead of 'a nation which thou knowest not eating up the fruit of thy land, and all thy labours,' (Deuteronomy 28:33).

Happy shalt thou be, and it shall, be well with thee - from Deuteronomy 33:29; literally, 'oh thy happinesses! and good (is) to thee.' Compare the contemporary prophecy, Zechariah 8:10-13.

Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.

Thy wife (shall be) as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house - or 'in the inner parts' (Hengstenberg Thy wife (shall be) as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house - or, 'in the inner parts' (Hengstenberg, note, Psalms 48:2): the most comfortable and secure place "of thine house." The idea is that of a happy home, as contrasted with Israel's past homeless state. Compare the phrase, 1 Sam. 35:3 ; also Titus 2:3. A numerous and flourishing posterity is hereby premised to the seemingly decaying Israel (cf. Zechariah 8:5).

Thy children like olive plants round about thy table. The olive represents peace, fatness, joy, and flourishing prosperity (Psalms 52:8; Jeremiah 11:16).

Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD.

Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord. "Behold" calls attention, as we are all too little observant of God's righteous and gracious ways.

The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.

The Lord shall bless thee out of Zion - His seat, whence, out of His 'sanctuary' there, He distributes abroad His benefits (Psalms 20:2).

And thou shalt see the food of Jerusalem all the days of thy life - literally, imperative see; implying the certainly of the promise. So the imperative, Psalms 37:27. Jerusalem is the center of national and spiritual life and light to the whole land. Its prosperity involves that of the nation (Psalms 122:1-3; Psalms 122:6).

Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children, and peace upon Israel.

Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children - like Job (Job 42:16) and Joseph (Genesis 50:23.) Cf Zechariah 8:4. On the contrary, in times of national distress, men die early.

Peace upon Israel - (Psalms 125:5.)