Wednesday, November 8, 2017
Daily reading assignment – Psalms 128-130
Today’s scripture reading consists of three brief songs of worship in the Book of Psalms, chapters 128, 129 and 130. As noted in previous devotions, we are in the midst of a set of Psalms known as, “A Song of Degrees” (Psalms 120-134) and believed to have been psalms pilgrims sang as they approached Jerusalem and the Temple for feasts days celebrated by the Hebrews. My focus for today’s commentary is Psalm 128.
Psalm 128 is a song of rejoicing in the LORD for His many blessings. The central focus of the psalm is the LORD’S blessings on the household of the man who fears and walks in the ways of the LORD (128:1).
What does it mean to fear the LORD?
The fear of the LORD is not a fear that, like Adam, flees or cowers in God’s presence (Genesis 3:8-9). It is a reverential fear; a fear that moves a man to conduct himself in a manner that is upright, honest and just. Such a man is “blessed” (i.e. happy; joyful; satisfied) because he “walketh in His ways” (the ways of the LORD’S commandments).
Drawing upon a picture that is rural and agricultural (128:2-3); the man who fears the LORD is promised he will enjoy success in his labor, be happy in his pursuits, and fare well in life (128:2).
Wow; what a picture of a rewarding, satisfying life! However, it gets even better! It is one thing to be well-off, have money in savings and enjoy material success; however, it is quite another to have family in whom you take pleasure.
The world might say such a man lives a “charmed life”; however, nothing could be further from the truth! He is not lucky; he is blessed because he fears the LORD and walks in His ways!
Unlike the wicked whose lives are cursed with the ways of sin that never satisfy, the life of a man who fears the LORD and walks in His ways is not choked with the weeds of ungodliness. God blesses his labor (128:2) and his household enjoys the fruit of God’s blessings upon his life (128:3).
His wife is “a fruitful vine” and finds her strength in him and his children are “like olive plants”, a source of joy to his soul. Leaving us no doubt the way of the LORD is blessed, the psalmist repeats his assertion, “the man be blessed that feareth the LORD” (128:4).
The closing verses of Psalm 128 serve as a benediction for those who fear the LORD and walk in His ways (128:5-6).
Psalm 128:5-6 – “The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life. 6 Yea, thou shalt see thy children’s children, and peace upon Israel.”
We have seen the family portraits of three generations in this psalm. The first is a portrait of a young man and his wife who, under the shadow of her husband’s love and piety (128:1-3a), is like “a fruitful vine” …a source of joy and blessing to her household.
The second portrait is that of the man’s children who, sitting around his table, are trained and cultivated to grow up “like olive plants” and prosper (128:3).
The third portrait is one of contentment (128:5-6) and was taken in the latter years of the godly man’s life. He is old, his back stooped in age; however, his heart aspires to see God bless his nation (128:5). He rejoices in seeing his “children’s children”, and prays for peace (128:6).
Many reading this devotional aspire to the same. We long for success and to be a blessing to our spouse and children. We pray for God to pour out His blessings on our nation and, when we are old, to grant us the joy of seeing and loving our grandchildren.
My friend, those are admirable goals; however, they are the blessings of those who fear the LORD and walk in His ways.
Copyright 2017 – Travis D. Smith
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