Psalm 128: The Blessing Song

For Meditation

Psalm 128 begins with a proclamation that those who fear the Lord are blessed, or happy. And it ends with a reiteration of God’s promise to bless his faithful people.

What does it mean to be blessed? How do we sing a song of blessing when our lives don’t feel blessed or happy? I can imagine the pilgrims of Israel on their ascending journey to Jerusalem singing this psalm, stubbornly proclaiming the blessing of God, even when their circumstances or life story or history did not seem “blessed” according to the standards of the world. They knew that the true way to receive blessing was living God’s way.

Eugene Peterson reminds us: “God’s ways and God’s presence are where we experience the happiness that lasts.” Are you walking in God’s ways or are you trying to navigate life on your own? Can you see the presence of God in your life and do you name it as blessing? We are blessed because God is, right now and always, with us. He blesses us so that we can be a fruitful vine, sharing God’s blessing with the world.

In meditating on Psalm 128, the third stanza of the hymn Blessed Assurance came to mind: “Perfect submission, all is at rest; I in my Savior am happy and blessed; Watching and waiting, looking above; Filled with his goodness, lost in his love!” May this be your story, may this be our song of blessing.

Psalm 128

(New Revised Standard Version)

1 Happy is everyone who fears the Lord,
who walks in his ways.
2 You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands;
you shall be happy, and it shall go well with you.

3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots
around your table.
4 Thus shall the man be blessed
who fears the Lord.

5 The Lord bless you from Zion.
May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
6 May you see your children’s children.
Peace be upon Israel!

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