Psalm 128 — We are not alone — Reading the Psalms

A Song of Ascents.

1 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.
3 Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine, in the innermost parts 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.
5 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.
Peace be upon Israel.

Do you ever open the Bible to the reading your heart needs in that very moment? Often, seemingly by accident, we fall into the perfect passage. Thus was my reading today. I needed the encouragement of this psalm: Blessed is everyone that feareth the Lord.

I’m having a rough day, today. This is no cry for help, neither is it a plea for attention.It’s simply the truth. I’ve had worse days, to be sure. Some past podcasts were written on days worse than this. I share mostly for the benefit of our collective meditation on Sorrow & Salvation.

We hurt. Every one of us hurts: not every day, but every person. I know that I’m not alone if I feel sorrow. Some listeners have reached out in the past to share that they, too, have hardship. With such a spiritual family, we are not alone; with God as our Father, we are not alone.

And so, in the midst of a difficult day, God’s word reminds me that walking in his ways brings blessing. A life full of fruit grows from the fear of the Lord. This ‘fear’ is no terror, but the correct respect and intimidation one feels before someone great. The greater their glory, the greater our fear. Revearing and fearing this father nourishes a life otherwise fruitless. He it is who blesses our families: by his wise ways do we raise strong and healthy children; by his good sense does one see good in his holy city.

And so, let us take encouragement in his words. Let us trust in our fear of the Lord. Let his ways bless us, and let his fellow children encourage us. With such brethren and such a Father, we are not alone.