Psalm 128:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table.

NIV: Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table.

NASB: Your wife will be like a fruitful vine Within your house, Your children like olive plants Around your table.

CSB: Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house, your children, like young olive trees around your table.

NLT: Your wife will be like a fruitful grapevine, flourishing within your home. Your children will be like vigorous young olive trees as they sit around your table.

KJV: Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.

NKJV: Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine In the very heart of your house, Your children like olive plants All around your table.

This continues a description of blessings which come from faithful obedience to the Lord (Psalm 128:1–2). As a nation, Israel was promised blessings or disaster, depending on their obedience to the Lord (Deuteronomy 30:15–18). This does not mean that following God is a guaranteed path to prosperity (John 16:33). For most people, however, following God's will is much more likely to bring success than defying Him (Proverbs 9:10–11; 11:3–8; 14:27).

In the ancient world, fertility was directly associated with divine favor. This was an era without social services or retirement. A person's children were their source of support in old age. They were also the primary legacy which the parents left behind. Women, in particular, were deeply ashamed by an inability to have children. The stories of women like Hannah (1 Samuel 1:2, 27) demonstrate these struggles. Here, one of the blessings offered to Israel is a wife like a "fruitful vine" and many children. This was seen as a great gift (Psalm 127:4–5).

Psalm 128:3–4 continues to list the benefits of a worshipful, obedient "fear" of God (Proverbs 9:10–11). Hardships can come to anyone, no matter how pious (John 16:33; Psalm 90:10). But the Lord's path brings much less risk of disaster (Proverbs 14:27). These benefits extend to one's marriage and family.

Those who properly honor and follow the Lord are said to "fear" Him (Proverbs 9:10–11). This results in being blessed. The psalm does not guarantee prosperity, but Scripture indicates that the Lord's commands offer greater chance of success and less chance of negative consequences (Proverbs 8:33–36). Godly living benefits one's marriage, children, and life in general. The psalm ends with a prayer of blessing which refers to Zion, the location of Jerusalem (1 Kings 8:1).

This is one of fifteen songs labeled "of ascents" (Psalms 120—134). These were used when traveling "up" the hills to Jerusalem for various festivals (Deuteronomy 16:16). Themes in this psalm echo lessons from the book of Proverbs regarding the benefits of godly wisdom (Proverbs 9:10–11; 11:3–8; 14:27). Other psalms make similar remarks (Psalm 112:1; 119:1).

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.

Accessed 12/4/2024 3:23:58 AM