Bible Commentary

Psalms 128:1-6

Matthew Henry on Psalms 128:1-6

Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · Matthew Henry · CC0 1.0 Universal

Only those who are truly holy, are truly happy. In vain do we pretend to be of those that fear God, if we do not make conscience of keeping stedfastly to his ways. Blessed is every one that fears the Lord; whether he be high or low, rich or poor in the world.

If thou fear him and walk in his ways, all shall be well with thee while thou livest, better when thou diest, best of all in eternity. By the blessing of God, the godly shall get an honest livelihood.

Here is a double promise; they shall have something to do, for an idle life is a miserable, uncomfortable life, and shall have health and strength, and power of mind to do it. They shall not be forced to live upon the labours of other people.

It is as much a mercy as a duty, with quietness to work and eat our own bread. They and theirs shall enjoy what they get. Such as fear the Lord and walk in his ways, are the only happy persons, whatever their station in life may be.

They shall have abundant comfort in their family relations. And they shall have all the good things God has promised, and which they pray for. A good man can have little comfort in seeing his children's children, unless he sees peace upon Israel.

Every true believer rejoices in the prosperity of the church. Hereafter we shall see greater things, with the everlasting peace and rest that remain for the Israel of God.

Recommended reading

More for Psalms 128:1-6

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 128:1-6Psalms 128:1-6 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION IT is not quite easy to see why this psalm occurs among the "Songs of Ascents." The sentiment of it is that true religion never loses its reward; or, in other words, that whoever fears God shall be blessed. F…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 128:1Psalms 128:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryBlessed is every one that feareth the Lord (comp. Psalms 112:1; Psalms 115:13); that walketh in his ways. The psalmist assumes that true religious fear of God, and a good and holy life, will necessarily go together. The…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 128:1-6Psalms 128:1-6 · The Pulpit CommentaryPresent recompense. It is quite certain that the true and loyal servant of God will be abundantly rewarded; it is not certain when or how he will receive his recompense. There are three spheres in which that reward may…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 128:1-6Psalms 128:1-6 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe secret of the happy home. I. THE FEAR OF THE LORD. 1. This is not a slavish fear, but that reverent and loving regard to the Lord's will, in all things, which will make a man shrink from transgression. 2. He has thi…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 128:1Psalms 128:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryPractical fear. "Feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways." "Let us cultivate that holy filial fear of Jehovah, which is the essence of all true religion; the fear of reverence, of dread to offend, of anxiety to pleas…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 128:1-6Psalms 128:1-6 · The Pulpit CommentaryA sunny picture of the life era good man. "Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord," etc. I. THE GREATEST, MOST INFLUENTIAL, RELIGION IS COMPOUNDED OF "THE FEAR" OF THE CONSCIENCE AND THE TRUST AND LOVE OF THE HEART.…
commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 128:1-6EXPOSITION IT is not quite easy to see why this psalm occurs among the "Songs of Ascents." The sentiment of it is that true religion never loses its reward; or, in other words, that whoever fears God shall be blessed. F…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 128:1Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord (comp. Psalms 112:1; Psalms 115:13); that walketh in his ways. The psalmist assumes that true religious fear of God, and a good and holy life, will necessarily go together. The…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 128:1-6A sunny picture of the life era good man. "Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord," etc. I. THE GREATEST, MOST INFLUENTIAL, RELIGION IS COMPOUNDED OF "THE FEAR" OF THE CONSCIENCE AND THE TRUST AND LOVE OF THE HEART.…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 128:1-6Present recompense. It is quite certain that the true and loyal servant of God will be abundantly rewarded; it is not certain when or how he will receive his recompense. There are three spheres in which that reward may…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 128:1-6The secret of the happy home. I. THE FEAR OF THE LORD. 1. This is not a slavish fear, but that reverent and loving regard to the Lord's will, in all things, which will make a man shrink from transgression. 2. He has thi…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 128:1Practical fear. "Feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways." "Let us cultivate that holy filial fear of Jehovah, which is the essence of all true religion; the fear of reverence, of dread to offend, of anxiety to pleas…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 128:2For thou shalt eat the labor of thine hands. This is the first point of the "blessedness." God's faithful servant shall enjoy the fruits of his own industry, and not have them devoured by strangers (comp. Deuteronomy 28…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 128:2The link between labor and reward. Labor is not a part of the judgment on man's fall; the conditions under which he has to labor may be. Labor is presupposed in the nature of man, and in his relations to the material wo…Joseph S. Exell and contributors