Psalm chapter 128
English Standard Version
1 Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways! 2You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you. 3Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. 4Behold, 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! 6May you see your children 's children! Peace be upon Israel!
New International Version
New American Standard Bible
1Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, Who walks in His ways. 2When you eat the fruit of the labor of your hands, You will be happy and it will go well for you. 3Your wife will be like a fruitful vine Within your house, Your children like olive plants Around your table. 4Behold, for so shall a man Who fears the Lord be blessed. 5The Lord bless you from Zion, And may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life. 6Indeed, may you see your children’s children. Peace be upon Israel!
Christian Standard Bible
1A song of ascents. How happy is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways! 2You will surely eat what your hands have worked for. You will be happy, and it will go well for you. 3Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house, your children, like young olive trees around your table.
New Living Translation
1How joyful are those who fear the Lord — all who follow his ways! 2You will enjoy the fruit of your labor. How joyful and prosperous you will be! 3Your wife will be like a fruitful grapevine, flourishing within your home. Your children will be like vigorous young olive trees as they sit around your table. 4That is the Lord’s blessing for those who fear him.
King James Version
New King James Version
1{A Song of Ascents.} Blessed is every one who fears the Lord, Who walks in His ways. 2 When you eat the labor of your hands, You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you. 3Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine In the very heart of your house, Your children like olive plants All around your table. 4Behold, thus shall the man be blessed Who fears the Lord. 5 The Lord bless you out of Zion, And may you see the good of Jerusalem All the days of your life. 6Yes, may you see your children’s children. Peace be upon Israel!
What does Psalm chapter 128 mean?
The songs "of ascent" (Psalms 120—134) often follow unique themes. This psalm focuses on the benefits of reverence for the Lord. The lesson is not that obedience guarantees prosperity for all people. Rather, it evokes God's unique promises to Israel (Deuteronomy 30:15–18) and the idea that godly wisdom is more likely to bring success than disaster (Proverbs 9:10–11; 11:3–8; 14:27).The psalm opens with a direct statement that obedience to God results in being "blessed." Such persons have reason to anticipate good things in life, especially regarding their family. Israel knew better than most nations that hardship and disaster can come to anyone, no matter how pious (Psalm 11:5; 49:10; 90:10; Deuteronomy 8:5). Yet they also knew that following God's instructions would naturally lead them towards good and away from evil (Psalm 128:1–4).
With that in mind, the psalmist prays for a blessing, presumably on the God-honoring person. This connects to Jerusalem, which was founded in the mountain fortress, Zion, captured by David (2 Samuel 5:7; 1 Kings 8:1). To see a lifetime of peace and prosperity in the city of David would be quite a blessing, indeed (Psalm 128:5–6).
