Psalm 128

A father has a great responsibility to choose the right path for his family.

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it” (Prov 22:6, ESV).

A father has a great responsibility to choose the right path for his family. “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it” (Prov 22:6, ESV). “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Eph 6:4, ESV).

A father has a great responsibility to choose the right path for his family. “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it” (Prov 22:6, ESV). “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Eph 6:4, ESV). In the past, we have spoken a good deal about that great responsibility.

A father has a great responsibility to choose the right path for his family. “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it” (Prov 22:6, ESV). “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Eph 6:4, ESV). In the past, we have spoken a good deal about that great responsibility. This morning’s text isn’t about that responsibility.

A father has a great responsibility to choose the right path for his family. “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it” (Prov 22:6, ESV). “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Eph 6:4, ESV). In the past, we have spoken a good deal about that great responsibility. This morning’s text isn’t about that responsibility. Instead, the text is about the blessings for fulfilling that responsibility.

First, this Psalm serves as an “appendix” to Psalm 127.

That Psalm speaks of the blessings of children.

First, this Psalm serves as an “appendix” to Psalm 127. That Psalm speaks of the blessings of children: “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth” (vv 3-4, ESV).

First, this Psalm serves as an “appendix” to Psalm 127. That Psalm speaks of the blessings of children: “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth” (vv 3-4, ESV). That Psalm ends the way this Psalm begins.

First, this Psalm serves as an “appendix” to Psalm 127. That Psalm speaks of the blessings of children: “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth” (vv 3-4, ESV). That Psalm ends the way this Psalm begins: “Blessed in the man....” (v 5, ESV).

Second, this Psalm is firmly rooted in the culture of ancient Israel.

The text speaks of the one who eats “the fruit of the labor of [his] hands” (v 2, ESV).

Second, this Psalm is firmly rooted in the culture of ancient Israel. The text speaks of the one who eats “the fruit of the labor of [his] hands” (v 2, ESV). We typically do not eat “the fruit of the labor of [our] hands.”

Second, this Psalm is firmly rooted in the culture of ancient Israel. The text speaks of the one who eats “the fruit of the labor of [his] hands” (v 2, ESV). We typically do not eat “the fruit of the labor of [our] hands.” The text also speaks of the wife “within your house” (v 3, ESV).

Second, this Psalm is firmly rooted in the culture of ancient Israel. The text speaks of the one who eats “the fruit of the labor of [his] hands” (v 2, ESV). We typically do not eat “the fruit of the labor of [our] hands.” The text also speaks of the wife “within your house” (v 3, ESV). The Hebrew literally reads, “In the innermost parts of your house.”

Second, this Psalm is firmly rooted in the culture of ancient Israel. The text speaks of the one who eats “the fruit of the labor of [his] hands” (v 2, ESV). We typically do not eat “the fruit of the labor of [our] hands.” The text also speaks of the wife “within your house” (v 3, ESV). The Hebrew literally reads, “In the innermost parts of your house.” In ancient Oriental cultures, the women’s quarters were the innermost parts of the house, & they, therefore, were not generally expected to be seen outside of the house.

Second, this Psalm is firmly rooted in the culture of ancient Israel. Thus, some of the imagery the psalmist uses will sound quite strange to us.

Third, this Psalm, like the other Psalms, is poetry.

The psalmist compares the wife to a “fruitful vine” & the children to “olive shoots” (v 3, ESV).

Third, this Psalm, like the other Psalms, is poetry. The psalmist compares the wife to a “fruitful vine” & the children to “olive shoots” (v 3, ESV). Therefore, we need to be careful about taking this Psalm too literally.

A FEARFUL FIDELITY A FRUITFUL FAMILY A FAITHFUL FELLOWSHIP

v 1

“Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in his ways!” (v 1, ESV).

Hebrew poetry uses parallelism.

Thus, the second line often explains the first line.

Hebrew poetry uses parallelism. Thus, the second line often explains the first line. “Deliver me, O LORD, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue” (Ps 120:2, ESV).

Hebrew poetry uses parallelism. Thus, the second line often explains the first line. “Deliver me, O LORD, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue” (Ps 120:2, ESV). “Lying lips” & “a deceitful tongue” refer to the same thing—viz., a lying person.

Hebrew poetry uses parallelism. Thus, the second line often explains the first line. Therefore, in this Psalm, fearing the LORD is the same thing as walking in his ways.

Throughout the Scriptures, “fearing the LORD” means “honoring him in daily lives.”

“There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil” (Job 1:1, ESV).

Throughout the Scriptures, “fearing the LORD” means “honoring him in daily lives.” Job 1:1. “Whoever walks in uprightness fears the LORD” (Prov 14:2, ESV).

Throughout the Scriptures, “fearing the LORD” means “honoring him in daily lives.” Job 1:1. Prov 14:2. “The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD” (Is 11:2, ESV).

In this Psalm, fearing the LORD means that one obeys him.

Obedience to God is absolutely essential to pleasing him.

In this Psalm, fearing the LORD means that one obeys him. Obedience to God is absolutely essential to pleasing him. After Saul took spoil from the Amalekites, contrary to the will of God, “the word of the LORD came to Samuel: ‘I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned back from following me and has not performed my commandments’” (1 Sm 15:10-11, ESV).

In this Psalm, fearing the LORD means that one obeys him. Obedience to God is absolutely essential to pleasing him. 1 Sm 15: God had given Saul quite explicit instructions for going against the Amalekites.

In this Psalm, fearing the LORD means that one obeys him. Obedience to God is absolutely essential to pleasing him. 1 Sm 15: God had given Saul quite explicit instructions for going against the Amalekites. “Devote to destruction all that they have. Do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey” (1 Sm 15:3, ESV).

In this Psalm, fearing the LORD means that one obeys him. Obedience to God is absolutely essential to pleasing him. 1 Sm 15: God had given Saul quite explicit instructions for going against the Amalekites. “Devote to destruction all that they have. Do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey” (1 Sm 15:3, ESV). But, Saul & his men refused to “devote to destruction” everything.

In this Psalm, fearing the LORD means that one obeys him. Obedience to God is absolutely essential to pleasing him. 1 Sm 15: God had given Saul quite explicit instructions for going against the Amalekites. “Devote to destruction all that they have. Do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey” (1 Sm 15:3, ESV). But, Saul & his men refused to “devote to destruction” everything. Therefore, the LORD rejected Saul as king.

In this Psalm, fearing the LORD means that one obeys him. Obedience to God is absolutely essential to pleasing him. 1 Sm 15: “This day the LORD your God commands you to do these statutes and rules. You shall therefore be careful to do them with all your heart and with all your soul” (Deut 26:16, ESV).

In this Psalm, fearing the LORD means that one obeys him. Obedience to God is absolutely essential to pleasing him. 1 Sm 15: Deut 26:16. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Mt 7:21, ESV).

vv 3, 6

“You wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table” (v 3, ESV).

The blessed father’s wife will be like a fruitful vine.

“Behold, children are a heritage of the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward” (Ps 127:3, ESV).

The blessed father’s wife will be like a fruitful vine. “Behold, children are a heritage of the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward” (Ps 127:3, ESV). The image of the vine was quite important in ancient Israel.

The blessed father’s wife will be like a fruitful vine. “Behold, children are a heritage of the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward” (Ps 127:3, ESV). The image of the vine was quite important in ancient Israel. It was a symbol of peace & prosperity.

The blessed father’s wife will be like a fruitful vine. “Behold, children are a heritage of the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward” (Ps 127:3, ESV). The image of the vine was quite important in ancient Israel. It was a symbol of peace & prosperity: “Judah and Israel lived in safety, from Dan even to Beersheba, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, all the days of Solomon” (1 Ki 4:25, ESV).

The blessed father’s wife will be like a fruitful vine. “Behold, children are a heritage of the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward” (Ps 127:3, ESV). The image of the vine was quite important in ancient Israel. It was a symbol of peace & prosperity (1 Ki 4:25). It was a symbol of the Messianic age.

The blessed father’s wife will be like a fruitful vine. “Behold, children are a heritage of the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward” (Ps 127:3, ESV). The image of the vine was quite important in ancient Israel. It was a symbol of peace & prosperity (1 Ki 4:25). It was a symbol of the Messianic age. In the latter days “they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid, for the mouth of the LORD of hosts has spoken” (Mic 4:4, ESV).

The blessed father’s wife will be like a fruitful vine. “Behold, children are a heritage of the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward” (Ps 127:3, ESV). The image of the vine was quite important in ancient Israel. It was a symbol of peace & prosperity (1 Ki 4:25). It was a symbol of the Messianic age. Mic 4:4. “In that day, declares the LORD of hosts, every one of you will invite his neighbor to come under his vine and under his fig tree” (Zech 3:10, ESV).

This image reminds us of the blessings of a wife.

“The LORD God said, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him’” (Gn 2:18, ESV).

This image reminds us of the blessings of a wife. “The LORD God said, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him’” (Gn 2:18, ESV). “An excellent wife is the crown of her husband” (Prov 12:4, ESV).

This image reminds us of the blessings of a wife. “The LORD God said, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him’” (Gn 2:18, ESV). “An excellent wife is the crown of her husband” (Prov 12:4, ESV). “He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD” (Prov 18:22, ESV).

Do we honor God by “showing honor to the woman” (1 Pt 3:7, ESV)?

Do we love God by loving our wives “as Christ loved the church” (Eph 5:25, ESV)?

The blessed father’s children will be like olive shoots around his table.

The olive was very important in ancient Israel.

The blessed father’s children will be like olive shoots around his table. The olive was very important in ancient Israel. Olives provided the oil for the light in the tabernacle (Ex 27:20).

The blessed father’s children will be like olive shoots around his table. The olive was very important in ancient Israel. Olives provided the oil for the light in the tabernacle (Ex 27:20). Olives, with spices & perfumes, was part of the oil used for anointing priests (Ex 30:24).

The blessed father’s children will be like olive shoots around his table. The olive was very important in ancient Israel. Olives provided the oil for the light in the tabernacle (Ex 27:20). Olives, with spices & perfumes, was part of the oil used for anointing priests (Ex 30:24). Olives provided food (Hab 3:17).

The blessed father’s children will be like olive shoots around his table. The olive was very important in ancient Israel. Olives provided the oil for the light in the tabernacle (Ex 27:20). Olives, with spices & perfumes, was part of the oil used for anointing priests (Ex 30:24). Olives provided food (Hab 3:17). Olive oil was even used medicinally.

The blessed father’s children will be like olive shoots around his table. The olive was very important in ancient Israel. The olive tree takes many years to reach maturity.

The point is that with careful cultivation our children will provide fruit for years to come.

A point could be that children will bear their own children.

The point is that with careful cultivation our children will provide fruit for years to come. A point could be that children will bear their own children. But, because of the emphasis on righteousness, the point is likely that mature children will continue a righteous heritage.

Children often imitate their parents.

Abijam “walked in all the sins that his father did before him, and his heart was not wholly true to the LORD his God” (1 Ki 15:3, ESV).

Children often imitate their parents. Abijam “walked in all the sins that his father did before him, and his heart was not wholly true to the LORD his God” (1 Ki 15:3, ESV). Uzziah “did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah had done” (2 Chr 26:4, ESV).

“May you see your children’s children!” (v 6, ESV).

Most Israelites—like most people today—had grandchildren.

But, with lower life spans, most people never saw their grandchildren.

Most Israelites—like most people today—had grandchildren. But, with lower life spans, most people never saw their grandchildren. Thus grandchildren were a high-prized blessing.

Most Israelites—like most people today—had grandchildren. But, with lower life spans, most people never saw their grandchildren. Thus grandchildren were a high-prized blessing: “Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers” (Prov 17:6, ESV).

v 5

The LORD bless you from Zion! May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life!” (v 5, ESV).

“Zion” was a fortified hill in or near Jerusalem.

David took Zion on his conquest of Jerusalem (2 Sm 5:6-10).

“Zion” was a fortified hill in or near Jerusalem. David took Zion on his conquest of Jerusalem (2 Sm 5:6-10). Biblical writers use “Zion” to refer to (a) Jerusalem; (b) the Temple; or (c) the heavenly city.

“Zion” was a fortified hill in or near Jerusalem. David took Zion on his conquest of Jerusalem (2 Sm 5:6-10). Biblical writers use “Zion” to refer to (a) Jerusalem; (b) the Temple; or (c) the heavenly city. The relation of Zion to Jerusalem in this verse suggests that we should think of Zion as Jerusalem, the place where God dwelt in the Temple (1 Ki 8:10-11).

The psalmist wishes for the faithful man “the prosperity of Jerusalem.”

When the ancient Israelites were away from Jerusalem, they were greatly concerned about the security of Jerusalem, the Temple, & the strength of the Davidic kingdom.

The psalmist wishes for the faithful man “the prosperity of Jerusalem.” When the ancient Israelites were away from Jerusalem, they were greatly concerned about the security of Jerusalem, the Temple, & the strength of the Davidic kingdom. The Psalm is “A Song of Ascents,” one the people would sing as they traveled to Jerusalem for an important feast.

The psalmist wishes for the faithful man “the prosperity of Jerusalem.” When the ancient Israelites were away from Jerusalem, they were greatly concerned about the security of Jerusalem, the Temple, & the strength of the Davidic kingdom. The Psalm is “A Song of Ascents,” one the people would sing as they traveled to Jerusalem for an important feast. “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May they be secure who love you! Peace be within your walls and security within your towers!” (Psalm 122:6-7, ESV).

The psalmist wishes for the faithful man “the prosperity of Jerusalem.” When the ancient Israelites were away from Jerusalem, they were greatly concerned about the security of Jerusalem, the Temple, & the strength of the Davidic kingdom. Jerusalem & Temple worship mattered to a faithful Israelite to the core of his being.

How much do we care about the church?

The church should matter to us greatly.

“Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood” (Acts 20:28, ESV).

The church should matter to us greatly. Acts 20:28. “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish” (Eph 5:25- 28, ESV).

The church should matter to us greatly. Does the church really matter that much to us?

The church should matter to us greatly. Does the church really matter that much to us? The “Model Prayer”: “Your kingdom come” (Mt 6:10, ESV).

The church should matter to us greatly. Does the church really matter that much to us? The “Model Prayer”: “Your kingdom come” (Mt 6:10, ESV). I do not deny that the kingdom of God has come upon the earth.

The church should matter to us greatly. Does the church really matter that much to us? The “Model Prayer”: “Your kingdom come” (Mt 6:10, ESV). I do not deny that the kingdom of God has come upon the earth. But, can’t we pray, “Your kingdom spread?”

The church should matter to us greatly. Does the church really matter that much to us? The “Model Prayer”: “Your kingdom come” (Mt 6:10, ESV). I do not deny that the kingdom of God has come upon the earth. But, can’t we pray, “Your kingdom spread?” The principle of Jesus’ prayer is that the kingdom of God fill the earth.

The church should matter to us greatly. Does the church really matter that much to us? The “Model Prayer”: “Your kingdom come” (Mt 6:10, ESV). I do not deny that the kingdom of God has come upon the earth. But, can’t we pray, “Your kingdom spread?” The principle of Jesus’ prayer is that the kingdom of God fill the earth. Shall we pray for the church?

Man

Family Man

Jerusalem Family Man

Israel Jerusalem Family Man

The point: As men live like they should, families live like they should; as families live like they should, cities live like they should, as cities live like they should, nations live like they should.

“As goes the home, so goes the nation.”

We often lament the moral decline in this nation.

There can be no doubt but that there is serious, serious moral decay in America.

We often lament the moral decline in this nation. There can be no doubt but that there is serious, serious moral decay in America. But, we can do something about it.

We often lament the moral decline in this nation. There can be no doubt but that there is serious, serious moral decay in America. But, we can do something about it—live right & train our families to live right.

Are you living righteously?