Psalm 128: The Worshiper s Blessings

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1 Psalm 128: The Worshiper s Blessings Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in His ways. You will eat the fruit of your labor, blessings and prosperity will be yours. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house, Your sons like olive shoots around your table. Thus is the man blessed who fears the Lord. May the Lord bless you from Zion all the days of your life; May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem, And may you live to see your children's children. Peace be upon Israel Hebrew Blessed or happy always occurs in a plural construct as an interjection: How blessed. Happy is circumstantial, but God affects our circumstances too! Gen. 30:13 (NASB): Then Leah said, "Happy am I! For women will call me happy." So she named him Asher. Blessed in the OT (42 usages of exact Hebrew word, here are just a few) (all in NET version): Deut. 33:29 You have joy, Israel! Who is like you? You are a people delivered by the Lord, your protective shield and your exalted sword. 1Kings 10:8 Your attendants, who stand before you at all times and hear your wise sayings, are truly happy! Psa 32:2 How blessed is the one whose wrongdoing the Lord does not punish, in whose spirit there is no deceit. Psa 33:12 How blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen to be his special possession. Psa 34:8 Taste and see that the Lord is good! How blessed is the one who takes shelter in him! Psa 41:1 How blessed is the one who treats the poor properly! When trouble comes, the Lord delivers him. Psa 84:4 How blessed are those who live in your temple and praise you continually!

2 Psa 84:5 How blessed are those who find their strength in you, and long to travel the roads that lead to your temple! Psa 89:15 How blessed are the people who worship you! O Lord, they experience your favor. Psa 106:3 How blessed are those who promote justice, and do what is right all the time! Psa 112:1 Praise the Lord! How blessed is the one who obeys the Lord, who takes great delight in keeping his commands. Psa 144:15 How blessed are the people who experience these things! How blessed are the people whose God is the Lord! Pro 14:21 The one who despises his neighbor sins, but whoever is kind to the needy is blessed. Pro 20:7 The righteous person behaves in integrity; blessed are his children after him. Psalm 127 all blessings are from God Psalm 128 addresses specific blessings within a family context o Our part: Responsibility to fear God Responsibility to walk in His ways Responsible to work for God to bless the fruit of our labors with food o God s part: Choosing the form of the blessing! Blessing from Zion all blessings come from Zion as the place of God. Part of being at peace is accepting the form of the blessing He gives us. From Stepping Up by Beth Moore: Biblically, one is pronounced blessed when God is present and involved in his life.blessedness describes the condition of a person who reveres God, steeps her life in Him, and follows His ways.the result of this divine invasion is that the life operates overall at optimum earthsatisfaction, joy and purpose and without the crushing burdens of self-glory and sin. In other words, her life actually works.

3 Luke 11:27-28 As he said these things, a woman in the crowd spoke out to him, Blessed is the womb that bore you and the breasts at which you nursed! But he replied, Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it! John13:12-17 So when Jesus had washed their feet and put his outer clothing back on, he took his place at the table again and said to them, Do you understand what I have done for you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and do so correctly, for that is what I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you too ought to wash one another s feet. For I have given you an example you should do just as I have done for you. I tell you the solemn truth, the slave is not greater than his master, nor is the one who is sent as a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you understand these things, you will be blessed if you do them. Romans 10:12 For there is no distinction between the Jew and the Greek, for the same Lord is Lord of all, who richly blesses all who call on him. Matthew 5:1-11 When he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain. After he sat down his disciples came to him. Then he began to teach them by saying: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things about you falsely on account of me. Rejoice and be glad because your reward is great in heaven, for they persecuted the prophets before you in the same way. Remember: We are blessed to be a blessing!

4 Becoming a Worshiper 1. An old hymn exhorts us to Count your blessings. What blessings have you failed to recognize lately? List them here. 2. Take each of the blessings you have listed and ask God to show you how to use these blessings to bless someone else. Note below anything He shows you. 3. Reflect on Beth Moore s definition of Blessedness, ending with In other words, her life actually works. How would you define a life that actually works? 4. Where has God s faithfulness been evident in your life recently? Consider keeping a faithfulness journal to record those times when you have no doubt God is FOR you and refer to your notes at times when you struggle with circumstances. 5. Mark your personal remembrance of Psalm 128 on the appropriate stairstep.

5 The Blessing Song by Dennis Jernigan May the Lord answer you in the day of your trouble May the name of the Lord be your strong mighty tower May He grant you your heart's deepest dreams and desires May He answer each time you call May He pour out the blessing of heaven May you cast your cares on Him and daily fall May you live to see your children's children May Lord Jesus be your All in All May the Lord Jesus Christ satisfy beyond all measure May His Word light your path May His Peace guard your heart May your days be filled with gladness, joy and peace through any sadness Filled with love that will not depart May your strength be renewed like the eagle As you run the race may joy flood every part May your memories all be sweet in each parting May the peace of Christ rule your heart May His word be to you health and life, joy and treasure. May your home be a light. May the Lord guard your ways. May the Lord be your shepherd. May His goodness and mercy follow after you all your days May His mercies be new every morning May His grace and Holy Spirit help you stand May you live your life to die for the gospel May you hold to His unchanging hand May the Lord answer you in the day of your trouble May the name of the Lord be your strong mighty tower