Chapter Overview
Summary
Psalm 128 (MT) / Psalm 127 (LXX) is the ninth Song of Ascents — the BLESSING-ON-THE-FAITHFUL-HOUSEHOLD psalm. Traditional Jewish use at Sabbath-tables and wedding-ceremonies (recited as part of the Shabbat Shalom meal). The 'your wife will be like a fruitful vine / your children like olive shoots around your table' (v. 3) is the Hebrew-Bible's most-idyllic family-portrait.
Notable Variants
128:1 'blessed is every one who fears the LORD' as fear-of-Lord beatitude; 128:3 'fruitful vine / olive shoots' family-portrait; traditional Jewish Sabbath-table and wedding-liturgy use.
Structural Notes
MT Ps 128 = LXX Ps 127. 6 verses. Ninth Song of Ascents.
A song of ascents. Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in his ways.
'Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in his ways!' tracks MT. FEAR-OF-LORD beatitude — Ps 1:1, 112:1 family.
You will eat the fruit of your own labor — blessed are you, and it will go well for you.
'You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you' tracks MT. FRUIT-OF-YOUR-LABOR eating — the reward-of-honest-work. 2 Thessalonians 3:10 ('if anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat') extends.
Your wife will be like a fruitful vine in the inner rooms of your house; your children like olive shoots around your table.
'Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table' tracks MT. FRUITFUL-VINE WIFE / OLIVE-SHOOTS children. Classic Hebrew-Bible family-image. Romans 11:17–24's olive-tree allegory (Gentiles grafted into Israel's olive) extends the olive-imagery.
Look — this is how the man is blessed who fears the LORD.
'Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the LORD' tracks MT.
May the LORD bless you from Zion; may you see Jerusalem's prosperity all the days of your life.
'The LORD bless you from Zion! May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life!' tracks MT. BLESSING-FROM-ZION. The pilgrim-blessing on returning-pilgrims.
May you see your children's children. Peace on Israel.
'May you see your children's children! Peace be upon Israel!' tracks MT. 'PEACE-BE-UPON-ISRAEL' closure (// Ps 125:5). Galatians 6:16 echo ('peace and mercy be upon … the Israel of God').