Psalm 128

Psa 128:1

SUPERSCRIPTION: "A SONG OF ASCENTS": Or "degrees" (AV).

Psa 128:2

THE FRUIT OF YOUR LABOR: Hezekiah's writing his own copy of the Law (Deu 17:18-20).

Psa 128:3

YOUR WIFE... A FRUITFUL VINE: Hephzibah (2Ki 21:1) lost her husband through his disease, and then was "married" to him again (Isa 62:4) after his recovery, and then shortly gave birth to the prayed-for child. (NT) The ecclesia, or church: Eph 5:22-32.

OLIVE SHOOTS: Rich fruitfulness. Sym light, prosperity, peace, joy (Psa 52:8; Jer 11:16). Often an aged and decaying olive tree will be found surrounded by young shoots, sprung from the root of the elder. These have sprung from the root of the older tree; they seem to uphold, protect and embrace the parent. They offer promise to carry on in the production of fruit even after their parent has died. They contribute materially now, and offer hope for the future. In like manner must many a righteous man have viewed the bright young faces of his children round his table. The olive is proverbial for light, prosperity, peace and joy (Psa 52:8; Jer 11:16). Olive orchards were among the most valuable of all possessions to the Israelite.

(NT) Shoots of wild olive, grafted into the other (Rom 11:24).

Psa 128:5

MAY THE LORD BLESS YOU FROM ZION: The closing psalm of the 3-cycle speaks of peace and blessing out of Zion (Psa 122:6-9; 125:5).

Everlasting life to be bestowed at Jerusalem: see Lesson, Judgment seat at Jerusalem.

THE PROSPERITY OF JERUSALEM: True of Hezekiah's reign (2Ch 32:27-30), but never really true thereafter.

Psa 128:6

MAY YOU LIVE TO SEE YOUR CHILDREN'S CHILDREN: As did Job (Job 42:16) and Joseph (Gen 50:23).

(NT) The numerous conversions in Jerusalem were really the work of Jesus, not Peter, etc (Act 2:41; 5:14; etc.)

PEACE BE UPON ISRAEL: Isa 39:8.