Scripture
Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him.
2 You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.
Psalm 128:1-2 NIV
Question
How can you become more aware of the many blessings of God?
Psalm 128
A Psalm of Ascents –
On Family
Embedded in the Bible is a little-known guidebook to the lasting joy we long for: it’s a set of 15 Psalms known as the Psalms of Ascent. These 15 Psalms speak honestly about the heights and depths of life while celebrating the faithfulness of God himself. Psalm 128 is one of them and it’s about the blessing of families.
A helpful way to approach this Psalm is by recalling the ancient church motto: fides et sacramentum. The idea is that in marriage and family there is a blessing to believe (fides) and a blessing to receive (sacramentum).
Psalm 128 is not saying marriage and family is always perfect. It’s saying, first, “believe the blessing of fearing the Lord”, and then second, “receive this blessing.”
The first 4 verses train us to first believe the blessing of fearing the Lord. Verse 1 specifically describes what it means to be someone who “fears the Lord.” Those who fear the Lord are those who walk in God’s ways—who live in obedience to God.
1 Blessed are all who fear the Lord,
who walk in obedience to him.
2 You will eat the fruit of your labor;
blessings and prosperity will be yours.
3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots
around your table.
4 Yes, this will be the blessing
for the man who fears the Lord.
Verses 5 and 6 train us to receive the blessing that verses 1-4 have described. This Psalm is asking God to bless your marriage (if you are married) and your family. Read this Psalm and add it to your prayers today.
5 May the Lord bless you from Zion;
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
6 May you live to see your children’s children—
peace be on Israel.
A helpful way to approach this Psalm is by recalling the ancient church motto: fides et sacramentum. The idea is that in marriage and family there is a blessing to believe (fides) and a blessing to receive (sacramentum).
Psalm 128 is not saying marriage and family is always perfect. It’s saying, first, “believe the blessing of fearing the Lord”, and then second, “receive this blessing.”
The first 4 verses train us to first believe the blessing of fearing the Lord. Verse 1 specifically describes what it means to be someone who “fears the Lord.” Those who fear the Lord are those who walk in God’s ways—who live in obedience to God.
1 Blessed are all who fear the Lord,
who walk in obedience to him.
2 You will eat the fruit of your labor;
blessings and prosperity will be yours.
3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots
around your table.
4 Yes, this will be the blessing
for the man who fears the Lord.
Verses 5 and 6 train us to receive the blessing that verses 1-4 have described. This Psalm is asking God to bless your marriage (if you are married) and your family. Read this Psalm and add it to your prayers today.
5 May the Lord bless you from Zion;
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
6 May you live to see your children’s children—
peace be on Israel.
Prayer