Sunday, October 23, 2016

Reflection - The blessings of those who fear God (Psalm 128)

Source Website: http://www.christianity.com/bible/commentary.php?com=mhc&b=19&c=128
From Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary


Only those who are truly holy, are truly happy.
PHOTO: Only those who are truly holy, are truly happy. Happiness and prosperity of our families depends upon the blessing of God. To obtain that blessing is to live in the fear of God and in obedience to him. By the blessing of God, the godly shall get an honest livelihood. They shall have health and strength, and power of mind to do it. They shall have abundant comfort in their family relations. And they shall have all the good things God has promised, and which they pray for. We are to encourage ourselves and others with it.
Picture posted by Kentaro
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Psalm 128, A song of ascents

1 Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him.

2 You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.

3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table.

4 Yes, this will be the blessing for the man who fears the Lord.

5 May the Lord bless you from Zion; may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life.

6 May you live to see your children’s children - peace be on Israel.

This is a psalm for families. We were taught that the prosperity of our families depends upon the blessing of God; in this we are taught that the only way to obtain that blessing which will make our families comfortable is to live in the fear of God and in obedience to him. Those that do so, in general, shall be blessed (v. 1, 2, 4).


Psalm 128 taught us that the prosperity of our families depends upon the blessing of God.
PHOTO: Psalm 128 taught us that the prosperity of our families depends upon the blessing of God. The only way to obtain that blessing which will make our families comfortable is to live in the fear of God and in obedience to him.
Picture posted by Prasad Vettukattil (flickr), taken on 14 December 2008 - One of the estate roads in Gonikkopal, India
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhNzhtaUGHCN7V-Cb4Qm_HmBB_1a_ekcWmTyJSuGSaL2qe3zfkwJxDevbflafw38V75jTCQutVnSTTd9COmvm7b0UqKTEm3c__2A04tp4Eos25Emjel4X3MCSK2H4nITbh5LMrRl0UJnh/s1600/4489074030_1d4a86375a_z.jpg
https://c7.staticflickr.com/3/2740/4489074030_1d4a86375a_z.jpg
http://www.flickriver.com/places/India/Karnataka/Gonikoppal/search/


In particular,
I. They shall be prosperous and successful in their employments (v. 2).
II. Their relations shall be agreeable (v. 3).
III. They shall live to see their families brought up (v. 6).
IV. They shall have the satisfaction of seeing the church of God in a flourishing condition (v. 5, 6).

We must sing this psalm in the firm belief of this truth. That religion and piety are the best friends to outward prosperity. Giving God the praise that it is so and that we have found it so. Encourage ourselves and others with it.

Only those who are truly holy, are truly happy. In vain do we pretend to be of those that fear God, if we do not make conscience of keeping steadfastly to his ways. Blessed is every one that fears the Lord; whether he be high or low, rich or poor in the world. If thou fear him and walk in his ways, all shall be well with thee while thou livest, better when thou deist, best of all in eternity.


Blessed is every one who fears the Lord; whether he is high or low, rich or poor in the world.
PHOTO: Blessed is every one who fears the Lord; whether he is high or low, rich or poor in the world. If you fear Him and walk in His ways, all shall be well from now till eternity.
Picture by JonasDeRo, Digital Art / Drawings & Paintings / Fantasy
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdv0eksHIEX8XDci8yQyyiu6nHIkg03EAwLyySSCGBOf9Fk1OD3-TsCMHudmbyCp2vxQnd6C6OxvKZRkD10QuTa3jb3uCY5mcLhPc81-3PhpfKMHXLdfdQVbwFLRphhDZRYT0mXB02Uh5f/s1600/oak__s_crossing_by_jonasdero-d41rd6c-1.jpg
http://img07.deviantart.net/de55/i/2012/261/f/5/oak__s_crossing_by_jonasdero-d41rd6c.jpg
http://www.deviantart.com/art/Oak-s-Crossing-244821108


By the blessing of God, the godly shall get an honest livelihood. Here is a double promise; they shall have something to do, for an idle life is a miserable, uncomfortable life, and shall have health and strength, and power of mind to do it. They shall not be forced to live upon the labours of other people. It is as much a mercy as a duty, with quietness to work and eat our own bread.


By the blessing of God, the godly shall get an honest livelihood.
PHOTO: By the blessing of God, the godly shall get an honest livelihood.  They have a double promise; they shall have something to do, and shall have health and strength, and power of mind to do it.
Picture by JonasDeRo, Digital Art / Drawings & Paintings / Fantasy
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGKUY6yANJz1Y8sFSeVl4jRPhfrw4KJrg84RrytrfnINT0hc2FB37rH9nGlCJidBkDZv_7O8t8gJ2ZzgbLBE2iLPakwUkOPwY8lo4O84jlKSPkFVMpEzhUYtPPU5jYp-i9IUxp9jQw4TIl/s1600/Woodlands.jpg
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http://www.jonasdero.com/i0qaapoa2mx3d9bekhvfw55qdn7y48


They and theirs shall enjoy what they get. Such as fear the Lord and walk in his ways, are the only happy persons, whatever their station in life may be. They shall have abundant comfort in their family relations. And they shall have all the good things God has promised, and which they pray for.


Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table.
PHOTO: "Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table." (Psalm 128:3) They shall have abundant comfort in their family relations. And they shall have all the good things God has promised, and which they pray for.
Picture posted by Stock Photo - An engraved vintage illustration portrait of a cobbler and his wife working outside there quintessential thatched cottage from a Victorian newspaper dated 1866 that is no longer in copyright.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikB4_2nMOH1uLsaemrNs6Gb2peWO24bzzmn7VhfI4TK8mySMjh4v8HvGiPtU9gLa6ONya8T-D9EozxVBZ7VDxO_WiNB2IZSv2Tuf4AKgjJUlMXZVno4vra2GyOT67Ox-LPmwJeMF8d5VXr/s1600/Cobbler-and-his-wife.jpg
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A good man can have little comfort in seeing his children's children, unless he sees peace upon Israel. Every true believer rejoices in the prosperity of the church. Hereafter we shall see greater things, with the everlasting peace and rest that remain for the Israel of God.


A good man can have little comfort in seeing his children's children, unless he sees peace in God's land.
PHOTO: A good man can have little comfort in seeing his children's children, unless he sees peace in God's land. Every true believer rejoices in the prosperity of the church, see greater things and with the everlasting peace and rest.
Picture posted by Stock Photo - An engraved vintage family illustration of a husband bringing home a Christmas tree to his wife and children from a Victorian newspaper dated 1865 that is no longer in copyright.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibsAPTxkA6aDMIJDld83cBtSo36ksz7WldF_CT6BEHWWqJ2wIuGS77t6yQQLP4noLyP28MCHYz1KCMFaxVDicHmBUWW8Sg1NYe8wcZHT_6-GUiI11jUC7RsOBQyKHF2Zy1cvkbSUD9RDFN/s1600/20977375--family-illustration.jpg
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 Dear Lord, We pray that we live in the fear of God and in obedience to Him, in order to obtain that blessing that promises happiness and prosperity of our families. Bless us with abundant comfort in our family relations. Provide us with all the good things that God has promised, and which we pray for, especially the everlasting peace and rest. We pray through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!

PHOTO: "Dear Lord, We pray that we live in the fear of God and in obedience to Him, in order to obtain that blessing that promises happiness and prosperity of our families. Bless us with abundant comfort in our family relations. Provide us with all the good things that God has promised, and which we pray for, especially the everlasting peace and rest. We pray through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!"
Picture posted by Earl Skinner - The God-fearing Man, Psalm 128
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http://slideplayer.com/slide/9830282/

Reflection - The blessings of those who fear God (Psalm 128)
From Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary



Reference
[1] The blessings of those who fear God (Psalm 128), from Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary, http://www.christianity.com/bible/commentary.php?com=mhc&b=19&c=128

New International Version (NIV), Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Psalm 128 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+128&version=NIV

Psalm 128:1, 2, 4 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+128%3A1%2C+2%2C+4&version=NIV

Psalm 128:2 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+128%3A2&version=NIV

Psalm 128:3 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+128%3A3&version=NIV

Psalm 128:6 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+128%3A6&version=NIV

Psalm 128:5,6 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+128%3A5%2C6&version=NIV
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