Psalms 128:5

The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.

The LORD {H3068} shall bless {H1288} thee out of Zion {H6726}: and thou shalt see {H7200} the good {H2898} of Jerusalem {H3389} all the days {H3117} of thy life {H2416}.

May ADONAI bless you from Tziyon! May you see Yerushalayim prosper all the days of your life,

May the LORD bless you from Zion, that you may see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life,

Jehovah bless thee out of Zion: And see thou the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.

Commentary

Context

Psalm 128 is one of the fifteen "Songs of Ascents" (Psalms 120-134), sung by pilgrims as they made their way to Jerusalem for the annual festivals. This particular psalm focuses on the blessings bestowed upon those who "fear the LORD" (Psalm 128:1), depicting a picture of domestic tranquility, fruitful labor, and a prosperous family life. Verse 5 extends these personal and familial blessings to include a connection with the spiritual and communal well-being of God's chosen city.

Key Themes

  • Divine Blessing from Zion: The verse emphasizes that the source of blessing is "the LORD," and it emanates "out of Zion." Zion, often synonymous with Jerusalem, was the location of the Temple and the dwelling place of God's presence among His people. This signifies that true and lasting blessings flow from God's covenant relationship and His spiritual center.
  • The Good of Jerusalem: To "see the good of Jerusalem" implies experiencing and participating in the peace, prosperity, and spiritual flourishing of the holy city. For ancient Israelites, Jerusalem's well-being was intrinsically linked to national and spiritual health. It represents the collective welfare of God's people and the fulfillment of His promises.
  • Lifelong Prosperity and Peace: The phrase "all the days of thy life" underscores the enduring and continuous nature of these blessings. It promises not merely momentary favor but a sustained experience of God's goodness, both personally and in the wider community.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "good" here is ṭōḇ (טוֹב), which carries a rich meaning beyond mere material prosperity. It encompasses well-being, welfare, joy, favor, and moral excellence. Thus, to "see the good of Jerusalem" is to witness and partake in its holistic flourishing—spiritually, socially, and politically—a reflection of God's blessing upon His people.

Practical Application

For believers today, this verse speaks to the enduring truth that God is the ultimate source of all blessings. While Zion was a physical location, it also symbolizes God's spiritual dwelling and the center of His redemptive work, which for Christians is ultimately fulfilled in Christ and His Church. We are called to seek God's presence and draw from the spiritual resources found in His community. This verse encourages us to:

  • Seek God's Presence: Recognize that true blessing originates from God's holy dwelling. Just as ancient pilgrims looked to Zion, we are to seek God's presence and His will as the foundation for our lives.
  • Pray for and Invest in the Community of Faith: "Seeing the good of Jerusalem" can be understood as witnessing and contributing to the spiritual health and growth of the Church, the spiritual Jerusalem. Our personal blessings are often intertwined with the well-being of the broader Christian community.
  • Trust in Lifelong Provision: The promise of blessings "all the days of thy life" assures us of God's continuous care and provision, not just for ourselves but also for the generations that follow, as implied by the wider context of Psalm 128. This provides comfort and hope for a future rooted in God's faithfulness, reflecting a similar promise found in John 10:10 regarding abundant life.
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Cross-References

  • Psalms 134:3 (12 votes)

    The LORD that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion.

  • Psalms 20:2 (12 votes)

    Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion;

  • Psalms 118:26 (7 votes)

    Blessed [be] he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.

  • Isaiah 33:20 (6 votes)

    Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities: thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle [that] shall not be taken down; not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken.

  • Psalms 122:6 (5 votes)

    ¶ Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.

  • Ephesians 1:3 (5 votes)

    ¶ Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly [places] in Christ:

  • Isaiah 2:3 (5 votes)

    And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.