Psalms 128:2

For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy [shalt] thou [be], and [it shall be] well with thee.

For thou shalt eat {H398} the labour {H3018} of thine hands {H3709}: happy {H835} shalt thou be, and it shall be well {H2896} with thee.

You will eat what your hands have produced; you will be happy and prosperous.

For when you eat the fruit of your labor, blessings and prosperity will be yours.

For thou shalt eat the labor of thy hands: Happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.

Psalms 128:2 offers a beautiful promise of blessing and contentment to those who live in reverence for God, specifically linking prosperity to diligent effort.

Context

This verse is part of Psalm 128, one of the fifteen "Songs of Ascents" (Psalms 120-134), traditionally sung by pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem for the annual feasts. These psalms often speak of practical blessings and the joy of community and family life under God's favor. Psalm 128 opens by declaring, "Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways." Verse 2 then elaborates on the specific nature of this blessing, focusing on the fruits of one's labor and overall well-being.

Key Themes

  • Reward for Diligence: The phrase "thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands" directly connects effort and hard work with tangible reward. It emphasizes the dignity of labor and God's blessing on honest toil. This isn't just about material gain, but the satisfaction and sustenance derived from one's own productive activity.
  • Divine Blessing on the Righteous: While hard work is essential, the promise of "happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee" is explicitly tied to "fearing the Lord." This indicates that the true and lasting prosperity described here is a divine blessing, not merely the result of human effort alone. It's a holistic well-being that stems from a life lived in alignment with God's will.
  • Holistic Well-being and Contentment: The verse promises both "happiness" and that "it shall be well with thee." This speaks to a comprehensive state of flourishing—not just material abundance, but also internal joy, peace, and overall soundness in life. It suggests a life characterized by stability and contentment.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Happy" (Hebrew: 'ashrey): This word, often translated "blessed" or "oh, the blessedness of...", signifies a deep, abiding contentment and spiritual flourishing rather than fleeting happiness. It points to an enviable state of favor with God, similar to the concept of blessedness found in Psalm 1:1 or the Beatitudes in the New Testament.
  • "Well with thee" (Hebrew: tov): The Hebrew word tov means good, pleasant, prosperous, or favorable. It implies a comprehensive state of general well-being, where things are "good" in every sense—physically, emotionally, materially, and spiritually.

Practical Application

Psalms 128:2 offers timeless encouragement for believers today. It underscores the value of diligence and hard work, reminding us that God blesses our efforts when they are undertaken in a spirit of reverence for Him. This verse encourages us to find contentment and joy in the fruits of our labor, knowing that true happiness and well-being are ultimately gifts from God for those who walk in His ways. It shifts our focus from seeking external validation or quick riches to valuing sufficiency, peace, and the stability that comes from a life grounded in faith and purposeful work, much like the broader promises of blessings on the work of one's hands for obedience.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Isaiah 3:10

    Say ye to the righteous, that [it shall be] well [with him]: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.

  • Isaiah 62:8

    The LORD hath sworn by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength, Surely I will no more give thy corn [to be] meat for thine enemies; and the sons of the stranger shall not drink thy wine, for the which thou hast laboured:

  • Isaiah 65:21

    And they shall build houses, and inhabit [them]; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them.

  • Isaiah 65:23

    They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they [are] the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them.

  • Ecclesiastes 5:18

    ¶ Behold [that] which I have seen: [it is] good and comely [for one] to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it [is] his portion.

  • Ecclesiastes 5:19

    Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this [is] the gift of God.

  • Deuteronomy 28:4

    Blessed [shall be] the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.
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