A sunny picture of the life era good man. "Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord," etc. I. THE GREATEST , MOST INFLUENTIAL , RELIGION IS COMPOUNDED OF " THE FEAR " OF THE CONSCIENCE AND THE TRUST AND LOVE OF THE HEART . "The fear" is the elevating fear of offending against the highest law, and the strongest, tenderest love—one of the holiest feelings that Christ has generated in the new life. II. SUCH A CONTINUATION RESULTS IN ... read more
For thou shalt eat the labor of thine hands . This is the first point of the "blessedness." God's faithful servant shall enjoy the fruits of his own industry, and not have them devoured by strangers (comp. Deuteronomy 28:33 ; Le Deuteronomy 26:16 ; Psalms 109:11 ). Happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee ; rather, happy thou , and well is it with thee (comp. Deuteronomy 33:29 ). read more
The link between labor and reward. Labor is not a part of the judgment on man's fall; the conditions under which he has to labor may be. Labor is presupposed in the nature of man, and in his relations to the material world in which he is placed. There is a fixed, natural, and necessary connection between labor and reward; but man's frailties and sins, with their consequences, make contingent what should be necessary. And so the reaping of reward for toil comes properly to be regarded as a... read more
Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord - That honors God; that is truly pious. See the notes at Psalms 1:1; Psalms 112:1. What that blessedness is, is indicated in the following verses.That walketh in his ways - The ways which God commands or directs. On the word “walketh,” see the notes at Psalms 1:1. read more
For thou shalt eat the labor of thine hands - Thou shalt enjoy the avails of thy labor; thou shalt be secure in thy rights. See the notes at Isaiah 3:10. This is a general promise respecting the prosperity which religion affords. If all people were truly religious, this would be universal, so far as man is concerned. Property would be secure; and, except so far as abundant harvests might be prevented by the direct providence of God - by blight, and mildew, and storms, and drought - all people... read more
Psalms 128:2. Thou shalt eat the labour, &c. Thy labour shall not be vain and fruitless, and the fruit of thy labour shall not be taken from thee and possessed by others, as was threatened to the disobedient Deuteronomy 28:0., but enjoyed by thyself with comfort and satisfaction. Happy shalt thou be Whether thou be high or low, rich or poor, in the world, if thou fear God, and walk in his ways, thou mayest take the comfort of the promise to thyself, and expect the benefit of it, as if... read more
Psalms 125-128 Lessons from JerusalemAs the worshippers journey towards Jerusalem, they recall some of the varied experiences that the city has passed through. They see these as typical of the experiences of God’s people as a whole. Believers are like Jerusalem in that they are completely secure and fully protected (125:1-2). Although Jerusalem sometimes came under the rule of its enemies, God never allowed these enemies to control it for long, in case God’s people lost their devotion to him... read more
Title. A Song of degrees. Same as 120. See App-67 . Blessed is = O the happinesses of. See the Beatitudes. App-63 . feareth = revereth. read more
labour. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for that which is produced by labour. thine hands: i.e. thine own hands, in contrast with the opposite (Leviticus 26:16 . Deuteronomy 28:30-33 , Deuteronomy 28:39 , Deuteronomy 28:40 ). See also Amos 5:11 .Micah 6:15 . read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 128:1-6
The secret of the happy home. I. THE FEAR OF THE LORD . 1. This is not a slavish fear , but that reverent and loving regard to the Lord's will, in all things, which will make a man shrink from transgression. 2. He has this blessed fear who himself has known the loving-kindness of the Lord , and whose love has been wakened up thereby. This fear of the Lord is the essential foundation of the truly happy home. 3. It must be in the head of the household , ... read more