Psalm 128

Bible Reading - Psalm 128

This is a wisdom psalm which presents us with the blessedness of all people who fear the Lord and walk in His ways. The pilgrim worshipper sings this song as a reminder both to himself and to others of the divine blessing that comes from living in the blessed way which God has called us to!

In the song the psalmist paints a picture of the man who fears the Lord having an aura of divine blessing which surrounds both his work and his family. Not only is the man himself blessed, but the land he works is blessed with fruitfulness and his family is blessed too!

The ending of the song extends the reach of this blessing even further: the psalmist proclaims a blessing asking that all of God’s people might walk in this way and experience this blessing, which would lead to prosperity for Jerusalem and peace for Israel. The blessing that the individual experiences as a result of fearing the Lord and walking in His ways extends to his work, his family and his entire community as well!

We see the opposite effect in the Scriptures as well: sometimes the sin of the individual can be the blight which is bringing down the entire community of God’s people (see Joshua 7). Our faithfulness or faithlessness has far-reaching consequences beyond our own lives, and we must remember that our walk with Christ is in some ways communal even more than it is personal!

ON THE COUCH WITH GOD

Have you ever considered that your faithful obedience could be affecting the health of the entire church? Have you ever considered that your sin could be affecting it too? How can we respond to take hold of the blessing God promises to those who fear Him and walk in His ways, for the sake of the entire community of faith?