1 Blessed are all who fear the Lord,
who walk in obedience to him.
As you begin this study, take a moment to let verse 1 sink deeply into your soul. Repeat it again and again and ask God to help this verse be true for you.
2 You will eat the fruit of your labor;
blessings and prosperity will be yours.
3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots
around your table.
4 Yes, this will be the blessing
for the man who fears the Lord.
Go through each line of verses 2-4 and imagine an opposite outcome (e.g. "You will starve in your labor" or "Your wife will be like a withered-up vine"). As you do so, consider what it means to have blessing from the Lord.
Who receives this blessing? What does it mean to "fear" the Lord?
Side study: How is Psalm 128 related to Psalm 127?
Side question: Is God's blessing gender-exclusive or does this psalm just so happen to be focused on men?
5 May the Lord bless you from Zion;
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
6 May you live to see your children’s children—
peace be on Israel. NIV
How might growing older make this psalm more meaningful to a person?
::::: Equipping challenge :::::
Consider people that you know who are struggling in their family. Take a moment to sincerely and earnestly pray this psalm as a blessing upon them.