Psalm-128

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Tanakh versions:

Throughout this site I may use any of the following three versions of the TaNaKh: 1. “Jewish Publication Society” (JPS-1917), 2. Mechon-Mamre.org” (MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org” (SEF).

Colour coded details of the - TaNaKh:

1. Torah = History & Law, 2. Nevi’im = The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim = all other Writings.

*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical books - Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Megillot, or Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations of Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and history of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.

Please Note: Some alterations or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’ of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, having been corrected like it once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.

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Remember the following two truth’s from our beloved Scriptures!

“Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM IT, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).

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“Tehillim - Psalm 128”

With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

Introduction:

Tehillim - Psalm 128 is one of the “Songs of Ascents” (a short collection of 15 pilgrim songs). It paints a compact, domestic picture of blessing for those who fear יְהוָה - the LORD, and walk in His ways, linking piety with everyday prosperity, family life, and communal wellbeing.

Let us now look at the Psalm on a ‘verse by verse’ bases, based on the JPS-1917 text, followed by an explanation.

Tehillim - Psalm Chapter 128: (JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh).

1. A Song of Ascents.
Happy is every one that feareth יְהוָה - the LORD, that walketh in His ways.
2. When thou eatest the labour of thy hands, happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.
3. Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine, in the innermost parts of thy house; thy children like olive plants, round about thy table.
4. Behold, surely thus shall the man be blessed that feareth יְהוָה - the LORD.
5. יְהוָה - the LORD bless thee out of Zion; and see thou the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life;

6 And see thy children's children. Peace be upon Israel!

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We will now look at the verse by verse of this Psalm, learning more about it.

Verse 1.

‘A Song of Ascents. Happy is every one that feareth יְהוָה - the LORD, that walketh in His ways’.

Explanation: “Happy” (blessed) here names the moral condition of the person who fears אֱלֹהִים - Elohim that is, who has reverent regard for אֱלֹהִים - Elohim and whose life shows that reverence in concrete conduct: “walketh in His ways”. The Psalm links inner disposition (fear/reverence) with outward practice.

Verse 2.

‘When thou eatest the labour of thy hands, happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee’.

Explanation: The image is very honest, productive work: enjoying the fruit of one’s labour is a sign of blessing. The promise is practical: ‘sustenance’ and ‘wellbeing’ follows a life aligned with ‘Divine ways’.

Verse 3.

‘Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine, in the innermost parts of thy house; thy children like olive plants, round about thy table’.

Explanation: Domestic prosperity is pictured with agricultural metaphors familiar to the ancient Near East. “Fruitful vine” and “olive plants” evoke ‘fertility’, ‘stability’, and ‘household abundance’; the family gathered “round about thy table” signals communal life and continuity.

Verse 4.

‘Behold, surely thus shall the man be blessed that feareth יְהוָה - the LORD’.
Explanation: This verse restates the central thesis: the pattern just described is the expected outcome for the one who reveres אֱלֹהִים - Elohim. The repetition underscores the Psalm’s moral theological claim rather than offering new imagery.

Verse 5.

‘יְהוָה - the LORD bless thee out of Zion; and see thou the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life’.

Explanation: The blessing is pictured as coming “out of Zion” a liturgical or national center and includes a wish to witness the welfare of Jerusalem, tying private blessing to the health of the community and the city.

Verse 6.

‘And see thy children's children. Peace be upon Israel!’

Explanation: The final note extends blessing across generations (“children’s children”) and closes with a communal benediction: “Peace be upon Israel”. The Psalm thus moves from ‘individual piety’ to ‘family flourishing to national peace’.

In conclusion:

Psalm 128 presents a tightly focused ethic: reverent living produces tangible blessings, honest work, a flourishing household, generational continuity, and communal peace. Its language is domestic and civic rather than doctrinal, making it well suited for reflection on how personal conduct and family life connect to broader communal welfare.

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Please Note: “hebraicstudies” links are located down the page!

This site was originally created, for those who desired to return to our blessed and wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work on your faith and pray at least two or three times a day (if possible) and always seek our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance, for His love is always with us, especially when we seek Him, blessed be He! However this site has become very much a teaching site with hundreds of studies!

Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the following via several of our prophets...

“Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה- the LORD of hosts”. Mal’a’chi - Malachi 3:7. (JPS).

And Remember ...

Enjoy your Sabbath Rest, Shabbat Shalom!

אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, בְּחֻקּוֹתַי לֵכוּ; וְאֶת-מִשְׁפָּטַי שִׁמְרוּ, וַעֲשׂוּ אוֹתָם

וְאֶת-שַׁבְּתוֹתַי, קַדֵּשׁוּ; וְהָיוּ לְאוֹת, בֵּינִי וּבֵינֵיכֶם-לָדַעַת, כִּי אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם

“I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloheichem; walk in My statutes, and keep Mine ordinances, and do them; and hallow My Sabbaths, and they shall be a sign between Me and you, that ye may know that I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloheichem”. Yechezkel - Ezekiel 20:19-20. (JPS).

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“Hebraic Studies” motto is as follows;

“The More Torah, the More Life”

For אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, Blessed be His Sanctified Name,

He is the one who gave us our Life!”

May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts. be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s (Prayers) and regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s (blessings) before food and drinks, etc!

שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!

Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

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