Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

happy is the man whose quiver is full of them! He will not be put to shame when he confronts his ac- cusers at the city gates.” (4, 5)

Even in their youngest years children can become “sharp arrows” joining their parents in prayer, wor- ship and service to God that damages the kingdom of darkness. One child is an invaluable blessing and a quiver full magnifies the strength of the family. Small investments in children turn into enormous re- wards in adult life that endlessly enrich the parents. The gates of the city is where disputes and legal transactions were settled as when Abraham bought a burial place for his wife from the Hittites; “They became Abraham’s permanent possession by the agreement made in the presence of the Hittite elders at the city gate.” (Gen. 23:18) To have children who were strong and sensible to represent you in the ‘gates’ was a great benefit; ‘unjust judges, malicious accusers, and false witnesses retire shy and faint-hearted before a family so capable of defending itself.’ 5 A church blessed with children becomes strong as its daughters and sons grow in their faith, they are the ones who will “confront the accuser” at the very gates of hell: “I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” (Mt. 16:18)

1 Keil & Delitzsch 2 Kraus 3 Spence 4 Keil & Delitzsch 5 Keil & Delitzsch

PSALM 128: THOSE WHO FEAR THE LORD The Reward of Honoring God

This is one of the ‘Blessing’ psalms recounting the happiness of those who honor God by following his ways. It shows the blessing of God upon the individual in four dimensions; their labor, life, love and lineage. The last section shows an even greater blessing that comes upon the family, the city and the country because of their relationship to Zion, the place of worship. It is possible to be blessed as an in- dividual family even when there is no vibrant church, godly city or righteous nation to live in but how much greater is people’s happiness when all of these institutions are committed to the fear of the Lord. This psalm is a twin with the previous of which ‘one begins with ‘ashre’ (blessed, 128) and one ends with ‘ashre’ (blessed, 127) .’ 1 Delitzsch also points out ‘that which makes man happy is represented in Ps. 127 as a gift coming as a blessing, and in Ps. 128 as a reward coming as a blessing.’ 2 It is outlined in two sections:

I THOSE WHO FEAR THE LORD -1-4 The Rewards of a Godly Life II THE LORD CONTINUALLY BLESS - 5,6 The Rewards of a Godly Church

INTRODUCTION:

(See Introduction to ‘The Songs of Ascent”)

I

THOSE WHO FEAR THE LORD -1-4 The Rewards of a Godly Life

“How happy are those who fear the Lord–all who follow his ways!” (1)

In the previous psalm the emphasis was upon God’s “gift” and grace in building the family and the city. This psalm emphasizes the “reward” of the efforts of the person who “fears” and “follows” God with all of their hearts. This is the last of the six psalms that begin with the phrase; ‘Blessed’ (Happy) em- phasizing that this was the purpose of God in the creation of mankind. The other psalms are: • Psalm 1:1- “Oh, the joys (blessed) of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked,”

• Psalm 32:1- “Oh, what joy (blessed) for those whose rebellion is forgiven,…” • Psalm 41:1- “Oh, the joys (blessed) of those who are kind to the poor.” • Psalm 112:1- “Happy (blessed) are those who fear the Lord.”

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