Monday

Psalm 128 - The blessing of fearing the Lord

The  primary focus of the psalm is not the blessings of family life (of which some are mentioned), but the blessings that come to believers through fearing the Lord. The English word ‘blessing’ or similar terms occur four times in the psalm (vv. 1, 2, 4, 5).

It used to be common for a Christian to be described as ‘God-fearing’. Fear of God does not mean to be frightened into spiritual paralysis by the thought of God. Nor does it mean a servile fear, which is a response of a person who is trying to please God but who does not understand the meaning of grace.

How can we know that a person fears God? He will walk in God’s ways. The imagery of walking illustrates progress and a destination, and such have God as their upholder, teacher and guide along the path to heaven.

But why does a person fear the Lord? He does so out of his experience of the goodness of God. Because he has been pardoned his sin, he reverences the Lord; because he has been accepted into God’s family, he adores the Lord; because he can enjoy the Lord’s presence, he is careful about his behaviour; because he has been given the promises of God, he venerates the Lord. We could expand the list endlessly. What is important to note is that reverence arises from experiencing the goodness of God.

What blessings are given to such? When this psalm was written, the husband usually worked from home (v. 2). If he was a baker or a carpenter, the bakery or workshop was attached to his house. Even if he was a fisherman or a farmer, he was still regarded as working from home. In biblical times, one could walk past a house and see the husband working at his trade, his wife busy in the home, and the children sitting around the house. Work in the ancient world was usually done in order to provide the basics of life. The psalm promises that such will be provided to the person who fears God.

The next blessing concerns the man’s wife who is described as a fruitful vine (v. 3). The vine in Israel was regarded as a source of refreshment, shelter and fragrance. That is how the man who fears the Lord will regard his wife. And just as the vine also symbolised joy, so such a man finds great joy in what his wife brings to their home. His contribution is to work for the security of their needs, her contribution is to provide the beauty of their home.

When there is such a husband and wife, then there will be happy children. The father is likened to an old olive tree around which younger plants are growing, partaking of his wisdom and knowledge. The imagery also suggests that as the plants grow, they protect the older tree which has become weaker through age. They learn from the way their parents interact with one another, implying that they too are fearing the Lord.

Such a home is worth observing says the psalmist in verse 4. We are to behold it, to contemplate with wonder what the Lord can do in a home inhabited by sinful parents and children. A happy home is the blessing often given to those who fear the Lord.

In verses 5 and 6, the psalmist describes public blessings in addition to the private ones he mentions in the previous verses. The statements in verses 5 and 6 can be interpreted as definite promises or as prayer requests; probably both ideas are in mind because promises often are fulfilled through earnest prayer.

The psalmist also mentions that the man who fears the Lord will see his grandchildren. No doubt, there is the family joy of descendants included in this promise. Further, and probably more important for the psalmist, is the fact that the presence of grandchildren would indicate to him the continuation of family inheritance, which was very important to a devout Israelite because it indicated ongoing possession of the land God had promised.

The psalm closes with a benediction, probably originally announced by a priest in the temple. We are assured that the Great High Priest in heaven is also raising this benediction over us, ensuring that the blessings promised to those who fear God will come to us. May he say to us at this time, ‘Peace be upon Israel.’

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