Psalms 128:6

Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children, [and] peace upon Israel.

Yea, thou shalt see {H7200} thy children's {H1121} children {H1121}, and peace {H7965} upon Israel {H3478}.

and may you live to see your children's children! Shalom on Isra'el.

that you may see your children’s children. Peace be upon Israel!

Yea, see thou thy children’s children. Peace be upon Israel.

Psalms 128:6 concludes a beautiful psalm by extending the blessings of a righteous life into the future, encompassing both personal legacy and national well-being. It is a verse filled with hope and the promise of enduring peace.

Context

Psalm 128 is one of the "Songs of Ascents" (Psalms 120-134), traditionally sung by pilgrims journeying to Jerusalem for the annual feasts. This particular psalm focuses on the blessings bestowed upon those who "fear the LORD" and "walk in his ways" (Psalm 128:1). The preceding verses describe a prosperous family life, where one enjoys the fruit of their labor, and their wife is fruitful, and children are like olive plants around their table. Verse 6 serves as a climactic declaration, affirming the long-term, generational nature of these divine blessings.

Key Themes

  • Generational Blessing: The phrase "thou shalt see thy children's children" signifies a long and fulfilling life, marked by the joy of witnessing one's lineage continue and thrive. In ancient Israel, a large and enduring family was considered a profound blessing and a sign of God's favor, ensuring the continuation of one's name and legacy. This echoes the promises made to the patriarchs, where descendants were a key part of the covenant.
  • National Peace: The second part, "and peace upon Israel," broadens the scope from individual and familial blessing to the entire nation. It implies that the well-being of righteous individuals contributes to the overall stability, prosperity, and harmony of the community and the nation as a whole. This aspiration for national peace is a recurring theme in the Psalms, often linked to the spiritual health of the people. For a related prayer, consider Psalms 122:6.

Linguistic Insights

The word for "peace" in Hebrew is shalom (שָׁלוֹם). While often translated simply as the absence of conflict, shalom encompasses a much richer meaning. It signifies wholeness, completeness, well-being, prosperity, security, health, and harmony in all aspects of life—spiritual, material, and relational. Therefore, "peace upon Israel" implies a comprehensive state of flourishing and divine favor for the nation.

Reflection and Application

Psalms 128:6 offers a powerful vision of God's holistic blessing. For believers today, it encourages:

  • Valuing Legacy: It prompts us to consider the spiritual and moral legacy we are building, not just for our immediate family but for future generations. Just as Proverbs 17:6 declares, "Children's children are the crown of old men."
  • Praying for Peace: The verse reminds us of the importance of praying for the peace and well-being of our communities and nations, recognizing that individual blessings are often intertwined with collective prosperity.
  • Trusting in God's Goodness: Ultimately, this verse is a testament to God's desire to bless those who walk in His ways, offering a hopeful outlook that extends beyond personal lifespan to the flourishing of one's descendants and the nation.

This verse beautifully ties together personal righteousness, family prosperity, and national peace, portraying a complete picture of God's favor.

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.

  • Job 42:16

    After this lived Job an hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons' sons, [even] four generations.

  • Genesis 50:23

    And Joseph saw Ephraim's children of the third [generation]: the children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were brought up upon Joseph's knees.

  • Psalms 125:5

    As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: [but] peace [shall be] upon Israel.

  • Isaiah 66:12

    For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon [her] sides, and be dandled upon [her] knees.

  • Proverbs 17:6

    ¶ Children's children [are] the crown of old men; and the glory of children [are] their fathers.

  • Galatians 1:16

    To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
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