Psalm 128:1 kjv
Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.
Psalm 128:1 nkjv
A Song of Ascents. Blessed is every one who fears the LORD, Who walks in His ways.
Psalm 128:1 niv
A song of ascents. Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in obedience to him.
Psalm 128:1 esv
Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in his ways!
Psalm 128:1 nlt
How joyful are those who fear the LORD ?
all who follow his ways!
Psalm 128 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Fear of the Lord & Wisdom | ||
| Prov 9:10 | The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom... | Fear of the Lord as source of wisdom |
| Ps 111:10 | The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom... | Parallel to Proverbs on wisdom's foundation |
| Deut 6:24 | The Lord commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the Lord... | Connection between statutes and fearing the Lord |
| Deut 10:12 | What does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord...? | Essential requirement from God |
| Job 28:28 | Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil... | Wisdom defined by fearing God and shunning evil |
| Prov 14:27 | The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life... | Fear of the Lord as source of life |
| Acts 9:31 | ...the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace... and walking in the fear of the Lord... | Early church walked in fear and comfort of Holy Spirit |
| Walking in God's Ways/Obedience | ||
| Deut 8:6 | So you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God by walking in His ways... | Walking in ways equals keeping commandments |
| Josh 22:5 | ...be very careful to observe the commandment and the law... by walking in all His ways... | Urging obedience through walking God's path |
| 1 Kgs 2:3 | ...keep the charge of the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes... | David's instruction to Solomon on walking with God |
| Ps 1:1-2 | Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked... but his delight is in the law of the Lord... | Parallel on blessedness linked to righteous walk |
| John 14:15 | If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. | New Covenant parallel: Love expressed through obedience |
| 1 Jn 2:6 | Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. | Believer's walk should mirror Christ's |
| Rom 8:4 | ...in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. | Spirit-led walk fulfills righteousness |
| Mic 6:8 | He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? | Summary of God's requirement for a good life |
| Blessedness & Prosperity | ||
| Deut 28:1-2 | If you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God... all these blessings shall come upon you... | Covenant blessings tied to obedience |
| Jer 17:7-8 | Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord... like a tree planted by water... | Blessedness likened to a flourishing tree |
| Matt 5:3-10 | Blessed are the poor in spirit... blessed are those who mourn... | Beatitudes: Jesus' teachings on true blessedness |
| Ps 34:8 | Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! | Experiential blessing in trusting God |
| Eccl 12:13 | The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. | Summarizes life's ultimate purpose and duty |
| Lk 11:28 | Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it! | Blessedness found in hearing and obeying God's word |
Psalm 128 verses
Psalm 128 1 Meaning
Psalm 128:1 declares a profound state of blessedness, deep happiness, and true well-being for anyone who lives in reverent awe of the Lord and diligently follows His commands. It paints a picture of spiritual prosperity leading to real-life fulfillment and divine favor.
Psalm 128 1 Context
Psalm 128 is one of the "Songs of Ascents" (Pss 120-134), traditionally sung by pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem for annual festivals. These Psalms often touch upon themes of journey, home, family, communal life, and the blessings associated with worship and faithfulness. Specifically, Psalm 128 focuses on the blessings poured out on the righteous individual, particularly concerning their family and labor within the domestic sphere. It builds upon the idea that true well-being and prosperity stem directly from a covenantal relationship with God, rather than worldly accumulation or strength. Its message resonates with the Genesis accounts of creation, family, and blessing, emphasizing that productivity and peace in one's household and work are God's good gifts to the faithful.
Psalm 128 1 Word analysis
- Blessed: The Hebrew word is 'ashrei (אַשְׁרֵי), an interjection or exclamation, meaning "O the happiness of!", "how fortunate!" It describes a deep, objective state of true well-being and inner contentment that is independent of outward circumstances. It is a divine blessing, an inherent state of spiritual and often tangible flourishing, contrasting with temporary happiness or mere pleasure. This isn't just about feeling happy but being truly favored by God. It’s similar to the concept in Psalm 1 and the Beatitudes (Matt 5).
- is every one: The phrase kol (כָּל) or "every one" signifies universal applicability. This blessing is not restricted to a specific group (e.g., priests, kings) but is available to anyone, regardless of social status or origin, who fulfills the stated conditions. It emphasizes the accessible nature of God's blessing.
- who fears: The Hebrew verb is yare' (יָרֵא), meaning "to fear" or "to revere." This is not a cringing terror or servile dread, but a profound reverence, respect, and awe for God's holiness, power, and authority. This "fear" is intimately linked with trust, love, and obedience. It's an active, ongoing state of heart that acknowledges God as sovereign and worthy of worship and adherence. It is the beginning of wisdom (Prov 9:10) and foundational to a right relationship with Him.
- the Lord: Refers to YHWH (יְהוָה), the covenantal, personal name of God, revealing Him as the faithful, existing, and acting God. This highlights that the blessings come from a specific relationship with the one true God, not from a generic deity or human effort.
- who walks: The Hebrew verb is halakh (הָלַךְ), meaning "to walk," used metaphorically here to describe one's conduct, lifestyle, and direction in life. It implies a continuous, habitual action, suggesting that righteousness is not a single act but an ongoing journey and manner of living. It indicates dynamic faithfulness rather than static belief.
- in His ways: The Hebrew bid'rakav (בִּדְרָכָיו) refers to God's revealed will, His moral standards, commandments, statutes, and the paths He has prescribed for His people. It means living in accordance with God's divine principles and character, as revealed in His Law and His Person. It denotes practical obedience that flows from a heart of reverence.
Psalm 128 1 Bonus section
The chiastic structure observed in this psalm, particularly relating back to its introductory verse, reinforces its central theme. The Psalm’s opening sets the spiritual prerequisite ("fears the Lord, who walks in His ways") upon which all the tangible blessings detailed in the following verses depend. This establishes a clear cause-and-effect relationship, highlighting divine initiative and human response. The blessing here is holistic, encompassing not just spiritual peace but also tangible fruitfulness in family, labor, and nation, connecting the spiritual discipline of fear and obedience to everyday realities, counteracting any dualism between faith and daily life. This "blessedness" implies divine pleasure and favor resting upon such an individual.
Psalm 128 1 Commentary
Psalm 128:1 encapsulates the core principle of biblical blessedness: it is a direct consequence of a right relationship with God. The blessedness ('ashrei) promised here is not superficial fortune but a deep, pervasive state of true happiness and well-being. This state originates not from external circumstances or human striving, but from an internal disposition of "fearing the Lord," which signifies profound reverence, obedience, and trust. This fear manifests actively in "walking in His ways"—a life characterized by practical adherence to God's revealed will and commands. The verse teaches that genuine human flourishing, often manifesting in family, work, and community as elaborated in the subsequent verses of the Psalm, is inextricably linked to living a life oriented by God's truth and dedicated to Him. It establishes the foundational prerequisite for experiencing the fullness of God's favor in all aspects of life.