I. (128:1–4) The Godly Enjoy Blessedness in Their Homes. The opening section paints an attractive picture of how the faithful person —the one “who fears the Lord,” that is, “who walks in his ways” (cf. Deut. 8:6; Ps. 112:1)—sees blessedness (or true happiness) in his home. He is able to work his farm and to “eat the fruit of the labor of [his] hands” (a covenant blessing; cf. Deut. 28:1–6; contrast Deut. 28:33). He has a wife who is “like a fruitful vine” (i.e., a bringer of joy like wine and the mother of children; cf. 127:3) and children “like olive shoots around [the] table” (i.e., full of energy and promise). Nothing suggests that such happiness is “automatic”; the rest of the Wisdom Literature fills out how those who fear the Lord work diligently, love their spouses well, and train their children faithfully in godliness. The focus of this psalm is the aura of divine blessing that surrounds such a family, using the word “blessed” three times.738 (Observe how the psalm, in its concreteness, uses the man as its exemplar, made explicit in 128:4; cf. comment on 127:3–5.)

II. (128:5–6) May the Lord Allow You to See Such Happiness. In this section each person in the congregation addresses each other member (“you” is singular) with the wish that all others might know the condition of blessedness described in the first section (cf. “bless”; v. 5). This blessedness is far from individualized; it will benefit the whole of God’s people (“Zion,” “Jerusalem”).

A key part of that blessedness is to “see [one’s] children’s children” (v. 6). This includes living to be old enough to see one’s grandchildren and the delight they give (Prov. 17:6), but it goes further. In the covenant made with Abraham, the chief means by which the faithful contribute to the growth of the people of God is through their believing offspring (Gen. 17:7). Several psalms celebrate this aspect of happiness, the prospect of a faithful family line (e.g., 100:5; 103:17; 112:2; 127:3–4). Truly to enjoy such faithfulness and blessedness requires that Israel be secure and just, a healthy worshiping community of faith and love—hence the closing prayer, “Peace be upon Israel!” (cf. 122:6; 125:5).