“Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways!” Psalm 128:1
What clear and simple instruction is found in Psalm 128! If you’ve ever considered complaining that the statutes or commands of God are a limitation on your life, you’re not thinking clearly. Your view is shrouded. Pray that eyes of faith may be given to you. Pray for eyes of clarity. Because not only some people but everyone who fears God by walking in his ways is blessed. Blessing—abundant life—is a gift from God, and blessing comes by turning from walking in your own rebellious ways.
“You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.” Psalm 128:2
Jesus tells us, “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you” (Luke 6:37-38). Blessing extends to the labor of your hands. Fearing God, while not repayment for your work, does bring blessing to your temporal life. However, never forget this promise during your broken life. It will be especially well with you in eternity.
“Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table.” Psalm 128:3
As I write this entry in May of 2021, it is over two years beyond the loss of my wife. And as I write, I am attending the wedding of my third child. Today, we take the most significant step since our loss, because my last olive shoot is marrying. The blessing of God in my family is indisputable. Sure, loss has been a recent and close companion. But even in loss, I praise God with a grateful heart for the children who bless my life. My fruitful vine, my bride, has blessed me beyond the days of her life. As we just saw in the previous psalm, “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward” (Psalm 127:3). Indeed, the Lord builds and fills the house.
“Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord.” Psalm 128:4
Men and women who fear the Lord learn a paradox: Fear God. Obey God. Follow God. Embrace and walk in his ways. Then, blessing is yours. Olive shoots are given around your table. Fruit comes from your labor. It will be well with your soul.
“When peace like a river attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot Thou hast taught me to say, ‘It is well, it is well with my soul!’” Horatio G. Spafford, “It is Well With My Soul”
Peace or sorrow, it’s good to learn to recognize that all is well with your soul. There is great reward, great confidence in trusting the Lord of all.
Blessing is ours. We have fruit from our labor and children like olive shoots around our table. The psalmist adds an additional blessing for prosperity and seeing your children’s children.
Surpassing peace is upon all who walk in the ways of the Lord. His ways are not our ways. His ways are best. There are many other ways that seem right to us, but they end in death (Proverbs 14:12).
“The Lord bless you from Zion! May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life! May you see your children’s children! Peace be upon Israel!” Psalm 128:5-6
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Hi,
Psa 128:1 states: ‘A Song of Ascents. Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways!’
The verse is propounded nicely in this article.
This is one way of explanation about, fear of The Lord:
Luke 12:5 states: Jesus said “I will warn you whom to fear: fear Him who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.”
A) We have to fear God, while doing the following things:
1) Keeping His commandments.
Eccle 12:13 states: ‘Fear God & keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.’
Deut 5:29 states: ‘God said, “Oh that they had such a heart as this always, to fear me & to keep all my commandments, that it might go well with them & with their descendants forever.’
2) While walking in His truth.
Psalm 86:11 says: ‘Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.’
3) Cleansing ourselves from every defilement of body & spirit.
2 Corinthians 7:1 says: ‘Beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body & spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.’
4) While working out our own salvation.
Phili. 2:12-13) states: ‘Work out your own salvation with fear & trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will & to work for His good pleasure.’
5) ln loving the brotherhood.
1 Peter 2:17 says: ‘Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God.’
6) ln serving God.
Psalm 2:11 says: ‘Serve the Lord with fear & rejoice with trembling.’
7) Have to turn away from evil.
Proverbs 16 :6 states: ‘By the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil.’
Proverbs 8:13 says: ‘The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil.’
Proverbs 3:7 states:’Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord & turn away from evil.’
B) Prov.28:14 states: ‘Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.’
If we fear God, we get the following blessings:
1) God’s mercy.
Luke 1: 50 says: ‘His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.’
2) Goodness of God.
Psalm 31:19 says: ‘Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you.’
3) Friendship of the Lord.
Psa 25:14 states: ‘The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him.’
4) Compassion of The Lord.
Psa 103:13 states: ‘As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.’
5) Strong confidence.
Prov 14:26,27 states: ‘In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence, the fear of the Lord is a fountain of life.’
6) Long life.
Prov 10 : 27
7) Knowledge & wisdom.
Proverbs 1:7 states: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.’
Job 28 :28 states: ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, is wisdom & to turn away from evil is understanding.’
Psalm 111:10 says: ‘All those who practice wisdom have a good understanding.’
8) We will not be visited by harm.
Proverbs 19 : 23 states:’ The fear of the Lord leads to life, & whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm.’
9) Riches & honor
Proverbs 22:4 says: ‘The reward for humility & fear of the Lord is riches, honor & life.’
10) The person is praised.
Proverbs 31:30 states:’Charm is deceitful & beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.’
11) God’s help & shield.
Psa 115:11 states: ‘You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord! He is their help & their shield.’
And,
12) God’s protection.
Psalm 145:19 states:’He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry & saves them.’
These are biblical examples who feared God:
1) Abraham (Genesis 22:12)
2) Job (Job 1:1, 8)
3) Joseph (Genesis 42:18)
4) Moses (Exodus 3:6)
5) Noah (Hebrews 11:7)
6) King David (Psalm 86:11; 145:19)
7) Hannah (1 Samuel 1:12-20)
8) Daniel (Daniel 6)
9) Mary, the Mother of Jesus (Luke 1:46-55)
10) The church of Judea, Galilee & Samaria.(Acts 9 : 31)
The consequence of not having fear of God will be:
Malachi 3:5 states: “Then I will draw near to you for judgment. I will be a swift witness against those who thrust aside the sojourner & do not fear me, says the Lord of hosts.’
Heb 10: 26-31 states: ‘For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment,& a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.”
Thank you, Usha, for this very thorough response to my entry on Psalm 128. May you enjoy the “blessing” that comes from the “fear” of the Lord. He fills us with awe and we love and respect him.
Other entries you might find interesting about fearing the Lord:
–Psalm 76: https://facinglossblog.com/the-humble-of-the-earth-in-psalm-76-fear-our-glorious-god/
–Psalm 112: https://facinglossblog.com/reverent-fear-and-obedient-delight-in-psalm-112-prove-to-be-wise/