Psalms 128:4

KJV

Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

Behold, that thus shall the man {H1397} be blessed {H1288} that feareth {H3373} the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

This is the kind of blessing that will fall on him who fears ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

In this way indeed shall blessing come to the man who fears the LORD.

American Standard Version

Behold, thus shall the man be blessed That feareth Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 128:4 serves as a powerful, emphatic declaration that encapsulates the core message of the entire psalm: the profound and certain blessings that are bestowed upon the individual who lives in reverent awe and obedience to the LORD. This verse acts as a concluding affirmation, solidifying the direct and undeniable link between a life characterized by piety and a life marked by divine favor, prosperity, and holistic well-being, particularly within the domestic sphere.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 128:4 is the concluding verse of a short yet profound psalm, part of the "Songs of Ascents" (Psalms 120-134). These psalms were likely sung by pilgrims as they ascended to Jerusalem for the three annual festivals. Psalm 128 specifically follows Psalm 127, which speaks of God's sovereignty over human labor and family, emphasizing that without God, human efforts are in vain. Psalm 128 then shifts to describe the blessings *upon* those who acknowledge God's sovereignty. Verses 1-3 paint a vivid picture of the blessed life: a man who fears the LORD will enjoy the fruit of his labor, a fruitful wife like a vine, and children like olive shoots around his table, along with the blessing of seeing his children's children and peace upon Israel. Verse 4 acts as a summary statement, an emphatic "Behold!" that reiterates the source of these blessings.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, the concepts of blessing (ברכה, _berakah_) and prosperity were often understood in tangible, earthy terms, deeply connected to family, land, and security. A large, thriving family was considered a primary sign of God's favor, ensuring continuity and strength within the tribal and national structure. The imagery of a "fruitful vine" and "olive shoots" evokes agricultural prosperity and generational abundance, which were vital for survival and flourishing in an agrarian society. The pilgrimage context further highlights the communal aspect of faith, where individuals would journey to the spiritual center, Jerusalem, to express their devotion, anticipating God's blessings not just individually but also corporately for "Israel" (as mentioned in [Psalms 128:5-6](/psalms/128-5 "Psalms 128:5-6 - Blessings from Zion")).
* **Key Themes:** The central theme of Psalms 128 is the **blessedness of the God-fearing person**, particularly within the context of family and domestic life. This psalm underscores the **principle of divine reciprocity**, where God honors and blesses those who honor Him through reverent obedience. The phrase "fearing the LORD" is not about terror but a profound, respectful awe that leads to obedience and trust, a concept foundational to Old Testament wisdom literature (e.g., [Proverbs 1:7](/proverbs/1-7 "Proverbs 1:7 - The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Knowledge")). The psalm also highlights **generational blessing**, portraying a vision of enduring peace and prosperity that extends to one's descendants, a core promise within the Abrahamic covenant (see [Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1 "Genesis 12:1-3 - The Abrahamic Covenant")). The tangible blessings described—fruitful labor, a thriving family, and peace—are presented as the natural outcome of a life lived in conscious submission to God's will, echoing the covenantal blessings promised in passages like [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Behold (Hebrew, _hinneh'_):** This interjection serves as an emphatic particle, drawing immediate attention to what follows. It functions like "Look!" or "Indeed!" underscoring the certainty and importance of the declaration. In this context, it emphasizes the undeniable truth and the direct connection between fearing the LORD and receiving the described blessings.
* **blessed (Hebrew, בָּרוּךְ, _baruch'_):** Derived from the root meaning "to kneel," this word signifies divine favor, prosperity, and well-being. It is a state of being in which God's goodness and favor are actively bestowed, resulting in holistic flourishing—spiritual, material, familial, and communal. It is not merely good fortune but a divinely ordained state.
* **feareth (Hebrew, יָרֵא, _yare'_):** This crucial term encompasses more than just fear; it denotes a profound reverence, awe, respect, and obedient submission to God. It implies a deep understanding of God's majesty, power, and holiness, which leads to a desire to live in accordance with His will. This "fear" is the antithesis of terror; it is the foundation of wisdom and true piety, leading to life and blessing, not punishment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Behold, that thus":** This opening phrase, with the emphatic "Behold," signals a crucial summary statement. "Thus" points back to the specific blessings detailed in the preceding verses (a fruitful wife, thriving children, prosperity from labor, peace upon Israel), confirming that these are the *manner* and *nature* of the blessings.
* **"shall the man be blessed":** This declares the certainty of the divine favor. The passive voice "shall be blessed" emphasizes that the blessing originates from God; it is not something earned or achieved by human effort alone, but a gift bestowed by the divine Giver. The "man" here represents any individual who embodies the specified characteristic.
* **"that feareth the LORD":** This is the indispensable condition and the defining characteristic of the blessed individual. It identifies the recipient of these blessings as one whose life is marked by profound reverence, awe, and obedience towards God, demonstrating a deep trust and devotion that shapes all their actions and attitudes. This fear is the wellspring of all the described blessings.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 128:4 employs several potent literary devices. The most prominent is **Emphatic Declaration**, signaled by the opening interjection "Behold" (הִנֵּה, _hinneh_), which serves to draw immediate and forceful attention to the pronouncement, underscoring its certainty and significance. This verse also functions as a powerful statement of **Cause and Effect**, clearly establishing a direct, divinely ordained relationship between the "fear of the LORD" (the cause) and the state of being "blessed" (the effect). Furthermore, the verse contributes to the overall **Inclusio** of the psalm, as it echoes the opening statement of blessedness for the one who fears the LORD in [Psalms 128:1](/psalms/128-1 "Psalms 128:1 - Blessed is the one who fears the Lord"), thereby framing the entire psalm with this central truth and providing a sense of completeness and emphasis on its core message.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 128:4 profoundly articulates the Old Testament principle of divine covenantal faithfulness: God blesses those who walk in His ways. This is not a transactional quid pro quo, but rather an organic outflow of a relationship rooted in reverent obedience. The "fear of the LORD" is consistently presented throughout Scripture as the beginning of wisdom and the pathway to life and flourishing, signifying a proper alignment of one's heart and will with God's. This verse assures believers that their devotion is not in vain, but is met with God's abundant provision and favor, extending to the very fabric of their daily lives and families.
* [Proverbs 1:7](/proverbs/1-7 "Proverbs 1:7 - The Fear of the LORD is the Beginning of Knowledge")
* [Deuteronomy 28:1-2](/deuteronomy/28-1 "Deuteronomy 28:1-2 - Blessings for Obedience")
* [Psalm 1:1-3](/psalms/1-1 "Psalm 1:1-3 - The Blessed Man")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 128:4 serves as a timeless anchor for believers, reminding us that true and lasting blessings flow from a heart devoted to God. In a world that often measures success by material accumulation or fleeting pleasures, this verse redirects our gaze to the ultimate source of well-being: a reverent relationship with the Creator. It challenges us to examine the depth of our "fear of the LORD"—is it merely intellectual assent, or a profound awe that shapes our choices, our priorities, and our very way of life? When we cultivate this posture of humble submission and trust, we open ourselves to God's holistic blessings, which often manifest not just in grand gestures, but in the quiet peace of our homes, the fruitfulness of our labor, and the joy of seeing our families thrive. This verse encourages us to prioritize our spiritual walk, trusting that God's faithfulness will indeed bring forth genuine and enduring prosperity in every dimension of our existence.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does "fearing the LORD" truly mean in my daily life, beyond mere intellectual agreement?**
* **How do the blessings described in Psalms 128 (family, labor, peace) align with or challenge my own definitions of a "blessed life"?**
* **In what specific ways can I cultivate a deeper sense of reverence and obedience to God this week?**

### FAQ
**Does "fearing the LORD" mean being afraid of God?**

Answer: No, in the biblical context, "fearing the LORD" (Hebrew: _yare_) does not primarily mean being terrified of God, like a cowering slave before a cruel master. Instead, it signifies a profound reverence, awe, and respect for God's majesty, holiness, power, and justice. It involves acknowledging His supreme authority and living in humble submission to His will. This reverential fear leads to obedience, trust, and a desire to please Him, knowing that He is both righteous and loving. It is the foundational attitude that enables a right relationship with God and is consistently presented in wisdom literature as the beginning of true knowledge and wisdom (e.g., [Proverbs 9:10](/proverbs/9-10 "Proverbs 9:10 - The Fear of the LORD is the Beginning of Wisdom")). It implies a healthy respect for God's character and commands, understanding that He is worthy of all worship and obedience, and that straying from His path has consequences, while walking with Him leads to blessing and life (as seen throughout [Deuteronomy](/deuteronomy "The Book of Deuteronomy")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Psalms 128:4 speaks of the blessings upon the man who fears the LORD under the Old Covenant, its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning are found in Jesus Christ. Jesus perfectly embodied the "fear of the LORD" in its truest sense, living a life of absolute reverence, obedience, and submission to the Father's will (e.g., [John 8:29](/john/8-29 "John 8:29 - Jesus Always Does What Pleases the Father")). He is the perfectly blessed man, not merely in earthly prosperity, but in His eternal communion with God and His redemptive work. Through His atoning sacrifice and resurrection, Christ became the source of all true spiritual blessings (as detailed in [Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Blessed with Every Spiritual Blessing in Christ")). For those who are "in Christ" by faith, the blessings promised in Psalms 128 are transformed and elevated. We receive not just earthly prosperity, but spiritual adoption, forgiveness of sins, the indwelling Holy Spirit, and the promise of eternal life (see [Romans 8:14-17](/romans/8-14 "Romans 8:14-17 - Adoption as Sons")). The "fear of the LORD" for the New Testament believer is now expressed through faith in Jesus, leading to a life of worship, obedience, and participation in the divine nature, culminating in the ultimate blessing of eternal fellowship with God (as promised in [Revelation 21:3-4](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3-4 - God Dwells with His People")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.