14/06/2017: Psalm 128 | “Enjoy the Blessing” | Richard Ashton
Psalms 127 & 128 is psalms for families. In these psalms we were taught that the prosperity of our families depends upon the blessing of God; in this we are taught that the only way to obtain that blessing which will make our families comfortable and successful is to live in the fear of God and in obedience to him.
PSALM 128 (HCSB)
- How happy is everyone whofears the LORD, who walks in His ways!
- You will surely eat what yourhands have worked You will be happy, and it will go well for you.
- Your wife will be likea fruitful vine within your house, your sons, likes young
Olive trees around your table.
- In this very way theman who fears the LORD will be
- May the LORD bless you fromZion, so that you will see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life?
- And will see your children’s children! Peace, be with
The Bible clearly states that we’re blessed for obedience. Without doubt blessings come in lots of forms and on sometimes bewildering timetables. But come they do.
Luke 11:27-28; “Blessed rather are those who hear the Word of God, and obey it.
John 13:14-17; “Now that I the Lord your teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set for you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you, no servant is greater than his master. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them”.
Romans 10:12 “There is no difference between Jew and Gentile – the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses them that call on Him, for, anyone who calls on the name of the Lord, will be saved”
In Hebrew two rich words are used, Asher in the first part of the psalm (vv. 1-2) and Barak in the second part (vv. 4-5).”
As we work Psalm 128, we will no doubt notice the word happy. Some translators resist using such a circumstantial and temporal word. The HCSB is a very sound and formal translation. I’m so glad the translators didn’t hesitate to use the word.
Has walking with God resulted in a change in your circumstances? If so… how?
The Old Testament versions employing the word happy have ordinarily translated it from the Hebrew word, Asher, rather than Barak. How does Genesis, 30:13, offer a terrific opportunity to see the word Asher translated?
“When Leah’s slave Zilpah bore Jacob a second son, Leah said, I am happy that the women call me happy, so she named him Asher”
Sometimes the circumstances of our suffering may not change, but the circumstances of our hearts are changed in the midst of them through a keen sense of God’s presence and a lively perception of His activity.
What two things mark the blessed person in Psalm 128?
- Fear (greatly respect and reverence) of God
- Walk in His ways, follows His teachings – Christ Followers.
What else is the fear of the Lord according to Isaiah 33:6?
There will be times of security for you – a storehouse of salvation, wisdom and knowledge. The fear of the Lord is Zion’s treasure.
Secondly, walking in God’s ways has its own blessing. I’ll give you three examples.
- Love our enemies.
- It is more blessed to give than to receive (see Acts 20:35).
- God was right about sex with only your spouse, one man and one woman!
“Let whoever is wise understand these things, and whoever is insightful recognize them. For the ways of the Lord are right.” Hosea 14:9
So in closing….in loving God and then loving others, as we love ourselves, we in effect keep the entire law.
No other belief system honors the human race like Christianity does, despite reputations and claims. We are never oppressed when we fear God and walk in His ways, we are happy and blessed.
We, Beloved, are blessed.