The God Fearing Individual
(Psalm 128)
Introduction:Twice in this psalm, there is a reference to one “that feareth the Lord.”
The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament says of this word “feareth” (OT:4172 – yare) that…
Biblical usages of yareare divided into five general categories: 1) the emotion of fear, 2) the intellectual anticipation of evil without emphasis upon the emotional reaction, 3) reverence or awe, 4) righteous behaviour or piety, and 5) formal religious worship. (In our text, the meaning would seem to be an awe or reverence for God.)
… In several passages, “fearing” and proper living are so closely related as to be virtually synonymous ideas. It is plausible that this usage of “to fear” as a virtual synonym for righteous living or piety grew out of viewing “fear” … as the motivation which produced righteous living. This practical, active fear is the kind of fear for which God rewarded the Egyptian midwives (Exodus 1:17, 21). This kind of fear was most appropriately learned by reading the Law (Deuteronomy 31:11-12). One righteous deed repeatedly and emphatically associated with “fearing” God is kindness to the stranger or resident alien (e.g. Deuteronomy 10:18-20; Deuteronomy 25:18).
… Frequently the emphasis is upon awe or reverence rather than terror. The “God-fearer” will implement his fear in practical righteousness or piety. Job, as a God-fearer, avoids evil (Job 1:1). In Psalms 128:1 the “fearer” of the Lord walks in his ways. The fearers of the Lord may be those whose particular piety is evidenced by a response to God’s message. The “fearer” of God is contrasted with the wicked (Ecclesiastes 8:13). It is desired that office holders be fearers of God (Nehemiah 7:2). Blessings are provided for fearers of God: happiness (i.e. “blessed”; Psalms 112:1), goodness from God (Psalms 31:20), provision of needs (Psalms 34:10), protection (Psalms 33:19-20), overshadowing mercy (Psalms 103:11), and the promise of fulfilled desires (Psalms 145:19).
The great congregational preacher of the early 1700’s, Jonathan Edwards, who by all accounts was a deeply God-fearing man, is said to have daily consecrated himself to the Lord. His pledge of consecration was thusly stated…
I have this day solemnly renewed by baptismal covenant and self dedication, which I made when I was received into the communion of the Church. I have been before God, so that I am not in any respect my own. I claim no right to myself – no right to this understanding, this will, these affections that are in me; neither do I have any right to this body or its members – no right to this tongue, to these hands, feet, ears, or eyes.
I have given myself clear away and not retained anything of my own. I have been to God this morning and told Him I have given myself wholly to Him. I have given every power, so that for the future I claim no right to myself in any respect. I have expressly promised Him, for by His grace I will not fail. I take Him as my whole portion and felicity, looking upon nothing else as any part of my happiness. His law is the constant rule of my obedience.
I will fight with all my might against the world, the flesh, and the devil to the end of my life. I will adhere to the faith of the Gospel, however hazardous and difficult the profession and practice of it may be.
I receive the blessed Spirit as my Teacher, Sanctifier, and only Comforter, and cherish all admonitions to enlighten, purify, confirm, comfort, and assist me. This I have done.
I pray God, for the sake of others, to look upon this as a self-dedication, and receive me as His own. Henceforth, I am not to act in any respect as my own. I shall act as my own if I ever make use of any of my powers to do anything that is not to the glory of God, or to fail to make the glorifying of Him my whole and entire business.
If I murmur in the least at afflictions; if I am in any way uncharitable; if I revenge my own case; if I do anything purely to please myself, or omit anything because it is a great denial; if I trust to myself; if I take any praise for any good which Christ does by me; or if I am in any way proud, I shall act as my own and not God’s. I purpose to be absolutely His.
Adam Clarke said…
This Psalm has no title, either in the Hebrew or any of the Versions; though the Syriac supposes it to have been spoken of Zerubbabel, prince of Judah, who was earnestly engaged in building the temple of the Lord. It seems to be a continuation of the preceding Psalm, or rather the second part of it. The man, who is stated to have a numerous offspring, in the preceding Psalm (127:4-5), is here represented as sitting at the table with his large family. A person in the mean while coming in, sees his happy state, speaks of his comforts, and predicts to him and his all possible future good. And why? Because the man and his family “fear God, and walk in his ways.”
The superscription over this Psalm along with 14 other Psalms (120-134 inclusive) is “A Song of degrees.” There are several views as to why these 15 psalms bear this title. John Richard Sampey said…
There was in the temple a semi-circular flight of stairs with 15 steps which led from the court of the men of Israel down to the court of the women. Upon these stairs the Levites played on musical instruments on the evening of the first day of Tabernacles. Later Jewish writers say that the 15 psalms derived their title from the 15 steps. … Others affirm that these psalms derive their name from the step-like progressive rhythm of their thoughts. They are called Songs of Degrees because they move forward climactically by means of the resumption of the immediately preceding word. … (Others) explain these 15 hymns as traveling songs of the returning exiles. … The most probable view is that the hymns were sung by pilgrim bands on their way to the three great festivals of the Jewish year. The journey to Jerusalem was called a “going up,” whether the worshipper came from north or south, east or west. All of the songs are suitable for use on such occasions. Hence, the title Pilgrim Psalms is preferred by many scholars.
(From the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia)
Warren Wiersbe said of this Psalm 128…
While the writer includes all who fear the Lord (v. 1), the psalm is addressed especially to the man of the house (v. 3). We see a happy man and woman as they go through several stages in life.
This Psalm presents some wonderful (and general) possibilities for that man or person who fears the Lord.
I. Notice The Happiness Of The God Fearing Man
(Psalms 128:1-2) Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways. {2} For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.
Blessed (vs. 1) & happy (vs. 2) – Hebrew 835. 'esher, eh'-sher; from H833; happiness; the word is used as an interjection, as if to say, how happy!:--blessed, happy.
A. There Is Happiness In The Path
(Psalms 128:1) Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.
1. This Is A Path Of Reverence
feareth – Hebrew 3373. yare', yaw-raw'; from H3372; fearing; mor. reverent:--afraid, fear (-ful).
Wiersbe said…
To fear the Lord means to reverence Him and seek to please Him by obeying His Word. In the background is the covenant God made with Israel (Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28-30). If they obeyed, God would meet their needs; if they disobeyed, He would chasten them. This is the Old Testament version of Matthew 6:33.
Cf. (Matthew 6:33) But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
2. This Is A Path Of Righteousness
that walketh in His (the Lord’s) ways
Charles Spurgeon wrote…
The religious life, which God declares to be blessed, must be practical as well as emotional. It is idle to talk of fearing the Lord if we act like those who have no care whether there be a God or no, God’s ways will be our ways if we have a sincere reverence for him: if the heart is joined unto God, the feet will follow hard after him. A man’s heart will be seen in his walk, and the blessing will come where heart and walk are both with God.
B. There Is Happiness In The Productivity
(Psalms 128:2) For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.
1. This God Fearing Man Enjoys A Productive Labor
For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands
Matthew Henry said…
Here is a double promise, (1) That they shall have something to do (for an idle life is a miserable uncomfortable life) and shall have health, and strength, and capacity of mind to do it, and shall not be forced to be beholden to others for necessary food, and to live, as the disabled poor do, upon the labors of other people. … (2) That they shall succeed in their employments, and they and theirs shall enjoy what they get; others shall not come and eat the bread out of their mouths, nor shall it be taken from them either by oppressive rulers or invading enemies. God will not blast it and blow upon it, and his blessing will make a little go a great way.
2. This God Fearing Man Enjoys A Productive Life
happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee
Albert Barnes said…
That is, happiness and security would be the consequence of true religion.
Again, “happy” is an interjection so that, as the Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary says, it is…
Literally, ‘oh thy happinesses! and good (is) to thee.’
well – [Hebrew towb] good (as an adj.) in the widest sense:--beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good, graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, X most, pleasant, + pleaseth, pleasure, precious, prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well ([-favoured]).
II. Notice The Home Of The God Fearing Man
(Psalms 128:3-4) Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table. {4} Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD.
A. Observe How His Wife And Children Are Described
(Psalms 128:3) Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.
1. Note The Laughter That A Partner Brings
(Psalms 128:3) Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house…
The image here is of the grape vine. The grape and its derived wine often represent joy in the Word of God. It is possible for the God fearing man to experience joy and laughter with his wife.
The Keil and Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament says…
The figure of the vine is admirably suited to the wife, who is a shoot or sprig of the husband, and stands in need of the man's support as the vine needs (support like) the wall of a house. … What is meant (by “the sides of the house”) is the angle, corner, or nook (suggesting) the background, the privacy of the house, where the housewife … leads a quiet life, entirely devoted to the happiness of her husband and her family.
2. Note The Light That Posterity Brings
thy children like olive plants round about thy table
olive – [Hebrew zayith] an olive (as yielding illuminating oil), the tree, the branch or the berry:--olive (tree, -yard), Olivet.
As the children of the God fearing man gathers around the table, he is able to see through their eyes. He is able to see a future as they yield illuminating oil.
One writer said…
To what particular circumstance does David refer in the 128th Psalm, where he says, Thy children shall be like oliveplants round about thy table? Follow me into the grove, and I will show you what may have suggested the comparison. Here we have lilt upon a beautiful illustration. This aged and decayed tree is surrounded, as you see, by several young and thrifty shoots, which spring from the root of the venerable parent. They seem to uphold, protect, and embrace it. We may even fancy that they now bear that lead of fruit which would otherwise be demanded of the feeble parent. Thus do good and affectionate children gather round the table of the righteous? Each contributes something to the common wealth and welfare of the whole-a beautiful sight, with which may God refresh the eyes of every friend of mine. (The Land And The Book)
B. Observe How The Wonder And Consideration Are Declared
(Psalms 128:4) Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD.
1. There Is The Wonder Of Looking At These Blessings
The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament says of this word “behold” (OT:2008 – hinneh) that it is…
An interjection demanding attention. “Look!” “See!”
2. There Is The Wonder Of Living In These Blessings
thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD
Albert Barnes said it is…
As if he had said, “Look upon this picture. See the farmer cultivating his fields; see him gathering in the grain; see him at his own table calmly, quietly, and gratefully enjoying the fruit of his toil. Look upon that picture of a happy family – numerous, cheerful, beloved – giving promise of upholding the name of the family in future years – and see all this as coming from the Lord – and you have an illustration of the blessedness which follows a religious life.”
III. Notice The Hope Of The God Fearing Man
(Psalms 128:5-6) The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life. {6} Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children, and peace upon Israel.
A. We See Hope Flourishing
(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.
1. Hope Flourishes Because Of The Lifting Of God’s Glory
The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion
Matthew Henry said that Zion points to…
Where the ark of the covenant was, and where the pious Israelites attended with their devotions.
It may suggest Jerusalem, specifically the spiritual involvements that took place in Jerusalem.
Adam Clarke said…
In all thy approaches to him in his house by prayer, by sacrifice, and by offering, thou shalt have his special blessing. Thou shalt thrive everywhere, and in all things.
2. Hope Flourishes Because Of A Lifetime Of God’s Goodness
thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.
Albert Barnes said…
[And thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem] The prosperity, the happiness of Jerusalem: that is, the good of the church; the advancement of pure religion. … Thus understood, it is a promise that he who is referred to would be permitted to enjoy a view of the continual prosperity of religion in the world.
[All the days of thy life] To the very close of life. No higher blessing could be promised to a pious man than that he should see religion always prospering; that the last view which he would have of the world should be the rapid advances of religion; that he should die in a revival of religion.
B. We See The Hope Of The Future
(Psalms 128:6) Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children, and peace upon Israel.
1. A Visible Heritage
(Psalms 128:6) Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children…
Mr. Spurgeon said…
Yea, thou shalt see thy children’s children. This is a great pleasure. Men live their young lives over again in their grandchildren. Does not Solomon say that “children’s children are the crown of old men?” So they are. The good man is glad that a pious stock is likely to be continued; he rejoices in the belief that other homes as happy as his own will be built up wherein altars to the glory of God shall smoke with the morning and evening sacrifice. This promise implies long life, and that life rendered happy by its being continued in our offspring. It is one token of the immortality of man that he derives joy from extending his life in the lives of his descendants.
(Proverbs 17:6) Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
2. A Visible Harmony
and peace upon Israel
Spurgeon went on to say…
And peace upon Israel. With this sweet word Psalms 126 was closed. It is a favorite formula. Let God's own heritage be at peace, and we are all glad of it. We count it our own prosperity for the chosen of the Lord to find rest and quiet.
Conclusion:When I asked the question at our house, ‘Who do you think of when I mention a God fearing individual?’, the answers were limited. One mentioned Moses and another mentioned Abraham. My wife mentioned some of the well known preachers that we listen to and have high regard for such as David Jeremiah and Chuck Swindoll. When I come to the end of my journey, I want it to be said of me that I was a God fearing individual.