Wisdom Wednesday: Wisdom in the Psalms
Part 9: The Blessings of Wisdom
Submitted by Debbie’s Dad
“How blessed is everyone who fears the Lord,
Who walks in His ways.”
(Psalm 128:1) NASB 95
The 128th Psalm enumerates the blessings to the wise man. The first verse summarizes the theme of the Psalm:
- Men who are wise are blessed. This is because they fear (Revere) the Lord, the foundation of wisdom. (Psalm 111:10, Prov. 9:10, Job 28: 28)
- Their walk in life follows God’s ways.
This thought is reiterated in verse 4, “Behold, for thus shall the man be blessed Who fears the LORD.” And the blessings that result from this way of life are enumerated in the following verses:
- Life will be productive and happy: “When you shall eat of the fruit of your hands, You will be happy and it will be well with you”. (v. 2)
- Your wife and family will be blessed with family life: “Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine Within your house, Your children like olive plants Around your table.” (v.3)
- And your nation will securely prosper: “The LORD bless you from Zion, And may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life.” (v. 5)
- And the blessing will extend to your descendants: “Indeed, may you see your children’s children.” (v6a)
This Psalm is within the section of 15 Psalms (Psalm 120-134) that are referred to as “pilgrim psalms” or “songs of ascent” The Lexham Bible Dictionary notes:
“[These Psalms] were designed for those traveling to the Temple in Jerusalem during the annual festivals. Pilgrims sang these songs together as they traveled in family groups to Jerusalem, which helped focus their minds on God’s actions toward their nation. These fifteen psalms formed a “hymnal” for people journeying to the city for three annual feasts—Passover in spring, Pentecost in early summer, and Tabernacles in autumn.”
This was an encouraging song, sung to remind pilgrims to fear the Lord, walk wisely in His ways and receive His bountiful blessings. The Psalm closes with the exhortation, “Peace be upon Israel!” (v.6b)