Salmos 128
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Salmos 128:1-4
128:1 "blessed" See note on this word (BDB 80) at Ps. 1:1. There are two major terms in Hebrew for the concept of "blessed" or "happy," both relating to God and humans. Let me use Deuteronomy 33 as an example. bless (see SPECIAL TOPIC: BLESSING [OT]) NOUN ‒ BDB 139, cf. Deut. 33:23 VERB ‒ BDB 138, cf. Deut. 33:1,13,20,24 bless ‒ BDB 80, used in Ps. 1:1 and 18 more times in Psalms but not in Genesis or Deuteronomy YHWH's blessings are directly related to those covered by His covenant. It is based on obedience (see SPECIAL TOPIC: KEEP). This whole concept of prosperity and contentment is part of the OT's "two ways," seen in Psalm 1; Deut. 30:15,19 and described as "cursing" and "blessing" in Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 27-30. The truly blessed person is the one who is rightly related to (1) God, (2) his/her family, and (3) the people of God. All three spheres must be in harmony! ▣ "everyone" Notice how this is limited (similar to Romans 8:28). those who fear the Lord, Ps. 128:3,4 (see SPECIAL TOPIC: FEAR [OT]) those who walk in His ways (cf. Ps. 119:2-3) So the blessing is not for "everyone," not even for all covenant people, but only for faithful followers! This has implications on how Christians should view the modern state of Israel. Covenant obedience is a prerequisite to covenant promises! ▣ "fears" See SPECIAL TOPIC: FEAR (OT) ▣ "Who walks" See SPECIAL TOPIC: THE PATH, THE WAY ▣ "ways" See SPECIAL TOPIC: TERMS FOR GOD'S REVELATION. 128:2-3 Notice the covenant promises for faithful followers (here, to one individual). enjoy the fruit of their labors be happy good life good home life many, healthy children a long life This is the essence of OT blessings. YHWH wanted to get the attention of the nations by blessing Israel. Once they noticed, Israel was to share the source of their blessing and peace—YHWH. It should be stated that abundant population growth was a command of God in Gen. 1:28; 9:1,7 it was part of the promise to Abraham in Gen. 12:2; 13:16; 16:10 it was also the reality of the family of Jacob (cf. Gen. 28:14) in Egypt that caused the Egyptian leaders to fear and persecute Israel (Exodus 1-2). 128:2a Just a note to mention that this promise is the exact opposite of the threat of exile! The exiles were God's judgment on faithless covenant followers. It was the very opposite of His intended purposes. It was the epitome of irony!
Salmos 128:5-6
128:5-6 This is a closing prayer for both the individual faithful follower and national Israel (cf. Ps. 128:6b). Often psalms started out as individuals addressing God, but in time, they turned into corporate psalms. Ps. 128:5a ‒ bless (BDB 138, KB 159, Piel IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense) Ps. 128:5b ‒ may you see. . . (BDB 906, KB 1157, Qal IMPERATIVE) Ps. 128:6a ‒ same as #2 Ps. 128:6b ‒ no VERB but an assumed prayer (cf. Ps. 125:5) It is interesting that Paul's allusion to the church in Gal. 6:16 uses similar phrasing to Ps. 128:6. Whether it is a direct, conscious allusion is uncertain. ▣ Notice that "the prosperity of Jerusalem" is parallel to "see your children's children." This refers to long term peace, prosperity, and societal stability (i.e., "you see your children's children"), v. 6a. 128:5 "from Zion" This refers to YHWH dwelling in the temple (cf. Ps. 20:2). SPECIAL TOPIC: ZION 128:6b "Peace be upon Israel" This is a recurrent theme (cf. Ps. 125:5; Isa. 66:12). YHWH will bring world peace (cf. Isa. 2:4; 9:5,6; Micah 4:3,4; Zech. 9:10). The Messiah will be "the Prince of Peace." SPECIAL TOPIC: PEACE (OT)