# 52 2021 Dev. Psalm 128:1. The Blessing! Read all of Psalm 128 first. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.
Psalm 128:1 “Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him.”
Intro. Ps. 120-137 is a series of Psalms that include 15 “songs of ascent.” Songs of ascent were sung at the temple by the Priests walking up the 15 steps entering the sanctuary, also sung by pilgrims going up to Jerusalem for the three feasts required, Pentecost, Passover and Tabernacles, as well as during the return from Babylon back to Jerusalem.
Psalm 128 is a two stanza psalm of ascent and speaks to the very essence of our lives on earth. Songs of ascents are the anticipation of worship in the congregations but they shape individual worship as well.
V.1 Begs the question, how are we blessed and what does that mean for us personally? Answer: “Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him.” Blessings come by worship, blessings come by radical faith and by absolute obedience to God.
V.2 Blessings mean; “You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.” The importance of work and the result of work is highlighted. Does that mean one will be rich? No, not necessarily, but our needs will be met. It is good to remember David’s prayer, (paraphrased) “Lord don’t bless me so much that I forget about you, give me enough so that I do not need to steal.” I believe that those who live that prayer; by keeping just enough for themselves and giving away the excess are the happiest people in the world.
V.3 Next the Psalmist moves to the other half of our lives; “Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house. Your children will be like olive shoots…” Here we look to the Epilogue of Proverbs: “A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.” Read the rest (Proverbs 31: 10-31.) Amen! God blessed me with a wife like that.
V.4 “Yes, this will be the blessings for the man who fears the Lord”The Psalmist confirms the blessings given to men and women who fear the Lord. He might as well be talking to Joseph and Mary here; he is not but they are included just as we are as followers of Jesus.
V.5-6 Here the Psalmist pronounces a blessing on all who read this Psalm and practice the precepts of the Lord. It is a Christmas Blessing; The blessing of Jesus who joined us in our humanity as a child born in Israel, bringing great joy, peace on earth, salvation for all who believe and call on His Name and live the life the Psalmist calls us to live. We also send this blessing in this Christmas season from our house to yours, Amen and Amen.
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