Psalm 128:4 kjv
Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD.
Psalm 128:4 nkjv
Behold, thus shall the man be blessed Who fears the LORD.
Psalm 128:4 niv
Yes, this will be the blessing for the man who fears the LORD.
Psalm 128:4 esv
Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the LORD.
Psalm 128:4 nlt
That is the LORD's blessing
for those who fear him.
Psalm 128 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 112:1 | Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commandments! | Fear leads to delight in God's commands and blessing. |
| Prov 1:7 | The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. | Fear of the LORD is foundational for wisdom. |
| Prov 9:10 | The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. | Fear of the LORD as the source of wisdom. |
| Prov 14:27 | The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death. | Fear of the LORD brings life and protection. |
| Prov 22:4 | The reward for humility and fear of the LORD is riches and honor and life. | Humility and fear lead to great rewards. |
| Job 28:28 | Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding. | Wisdom defined by fearing the Lord. |
| Deut 28:1-2 | If you obey the voice of the LORD your God, faithfully observing all his commandments... all these blessings shall come upon you. | Blessings flow from obedience to God. |
| Psa 1:1-3 | Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked... He is like a tree planted by streams of water... | Blessings on the righteous man. |
| Jer 17:7-8 | Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD... | Trust in God brings stability and fruitfulness. |
| Mal 3:16 | Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another; the LORD paid attention and heard them... | God hears and remembers those who fear Him. |
| Eccl 12:13 | The end of the matter... Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. | Fearing God and obeying Him is man's primary duty. |
| Psa 34:9 | Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing! | Those who fear the Lord lack no good thing. |
| Psa 37:22 | For those blessed by the LORD shall inherit the land, but those cursed by him shall be cut off. | Blessing leads to inheritance and perpetuity. |
| Psa 103:11 | For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; | God's great love for those who fear Him. |
| Psa 103:13 | As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. | God's compassion for those who fear Him. |
| Psa 103:17 | But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children, | God's eternal love for those who fear Him and their descendants. |
| Acts 9:31 | So the church... had rest and was built up; and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied. | Walking in the fear of the Lord leads to church growth. |
| Phil 2:12 | Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, | Fearing God motivates obedience and diligently living for Him. |
| Psa 115:13 | He will bless those who fear the LORD, both the small and the great. | God blesses all who fear Him, regardless of status. |
| Lev 26:3 | If you walk in my statutes and keep my commandments and do them, I will give you your rains in their season... | Promises of prosperity for covenant obedience. |
| Psa 19:9 | The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever... | The enduring and pure nature of the fear of the Lord. |
| Prov 16:6 | By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns away from evil. | Fear of the LORD prevents sin. |
Psalm 128 verses
Psalm 128 4 Meaning
Psalm 128:4 declares a profound principle: genuine blessing from the LORD is assured for any person who lives in reverent awe and humble obedience towards Him. This verse summarizes and reiterates the foundational truth that the desirable blessings mentioned previously—such as a fruitful wife, children like olive shoots, and prosperous labor—are direct results of this core spiritual disposition. It highlights that the covenant keeping God faithfully bestows His favor upon those who hold Him in highest esteem and walk in His ways.
Psalm 128 4 Context
Psalm 128 is one of the "Songs of Ascents" (Psalms 120-134), which were likely sung by pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem for the annual festivals. These psalms often emphasize themes of hope, protection, community, and divine blessing in the context of journeying towards God's presence. Specifically, Psalm 128 presents an ideal portrait of the blessed life of a God-fearing person within the covenant community. Verses 1-3 describe specific, tangible blessings – a prosperous outcome from labor, a fruitful wife, and flourishing children around the table. Verse 4 then serves as the concluding summary and principle: why these blessings come to such a man. It grounds the promises in the condition of reverent submission to the LORD, reinforcing a key teaching of Old Testament wisdom literature and the covenant.
Psalm 128 4 Word analysis
- Behold (Hebrew: הִנֵּה, hinnēh): This is an interjection drawing immediate attention. It serves to emphasize the certainty, significance, and undeniable truth of the statement that follows. It's an emphatic declaration, calling the hearer or reader to notice something remarkable or a foundational truth about divine order.
- thus (Hebrew: כֵּן, kēn): Signifies "so, in this manner, accordingly, truly." It links the blessings enumerated in the preceding verses (128:1-3) directly to the specific characteristic of "fearing the LORD." It establishes the principle: these described blessings will surely materialize for such a person, demonstrating the direct cause-and-effect relationship in God's economy.
- shall the man be blessed (Hebrew: יְבֹרַךְ הָאִישׁ, yəḇōrakh hā’îsh):
- shall...be blessed (יְבֹרַךְ, yəḇōrakh): Derived from the root בָרַךְ (barakh), meaning "to bless." It is in the Pual or Nifal stem (passive form), indicating that the blessing is not something achieved by human effort but is received from God. The future tense signifies an assured, divinely ordained outcome. The blessing is certain and active, pronounced by God Himself upon the individual.
- the man (הָאִישׁ, hā’îsh): The definite article "the" points to "the man" as a type, signifying any person, male or female, who embodies the specified characteristic. ’îsh refers to an individual, often connoting strength, honor, or moral standing. Here, it defines a category of people distinguished by their relationship with God.
- who fears (Hebrew: יְרֵא, yərē’): From the root יָרֵא (yārē’), meaning "to fear, reverence, stand in awe." This is not a servile or terror-driven fear, but a profound reverence, respect, and humble submission to God's holiness, power, authority, and love. It encompasses obedience, worship, and walking in accordance with His commands, recognizing Him as the ultimate Sovereign and the source of all good. It is both an attitude and a lifestyle.
- the LORD (Hebrew: יְהוָה, YHWH): The Tetragrammaton, the personal covenant name of God, often translated "Jehovah" or "Yahweh." It emphasizes that the reverence and obedience are directed specifically towards the one true God of Israel, the faithful, redeemer God who reveals Himself and enters into covenant relationship with His people. It distinguishes Him from any idols or human authorities.
Psalm 128 4 Bonus section
- The consistent theme in wisdom literature of the Old Testament (e.g., Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Job) places the "fear of the LORD" as the beginning and culmination of true wisdom and righteous living. Psalm 128:4 is a succinct articulation of this core doctrine, illustrating the practical blessings that manifest from it.
- While this Psalm depicts ideal family and material blessings, the deepest "blessing" inherent in fearing the LORD is spiritual—a deep, intimate relationship with the Creator, the receipt of wisdom, discernment, and ultimately, peace that transcends worldly circumstances (as seen in the New Testament concept of being blessed in Christ, Eph 1:3).
- The Psalm's position within the "Songs of Ascents" often meant it was sung by pilgrims who, though focusing on the immediate blessings of home, also looked towards the ultimate blessing and peace found in God's holy city, Zion, which can also be interpreted typologically as the New Jerusalem and God's ultimate dwelling with humanity.
- The contrast to this verse (though unstated) would be the one who does not fear the LORD, whose life, conversely, is marked by instability, lack of true blessing, and often judgment, echoing curses in Deuteronomy for disobedience (Deut 28:15ff). The Psalm thus serves as both an encouragement and a quiet warning.
Psalm 128 4 Commentary
Psalm 128:4 acts as the capstone to the blessed descriptions of the previous verses, stating the indispensable condition for experiencing such divine favor: "the fear of the LORD." It's a foundational theological statement that connects a life oriented in reverent obedience towards the covenant God with comprehensive well-being and prosperity. The verse implies a sure and certain outcome, conveying God's faithfulness in reciprocating devotion with tangible blessings. This fear is not a fearful dread, but an active, loving reverence that dictates one's moral compass and life choices. The blessings described (familial peace, personal labor's fruit, communal stability) are the natural outflow of living under God's loving rule. It teaches that the spiritual state of one's heart towards God directly influences the character and fruitfulness of one's earthly existence. This Psalm stands as a testament to the wisdom principle: a life aligned with God's will through the "fear of the LORD" is indeed the blessed life.