Psalm 128
Bon Appetit at the happy house
Good reasons to respect God
Road trip song[1]
1 You’re a happy soul if you respect the LORDAnd live a life that shows it.
2 When you eat the food you worked to get,
You’ll be happy, and life will go well.
3 Your wife gives you children
Like grapevines give grapes.
Kids are sprouts of olive trees.
You’ve got an orchard sitting around your table.
4 Look at what you’ve got.
That’s what you get for respecting the LORD.
5 The LORD in Jerusalem[2] has blessed you.
For the rest of your life,
May you share in the prosperity of Jerusalem.
6 May you live long enough to see your grandkids.
May Israel enjoy peace.[3]
Notes
1128:1
The subtitle wasn’t part of the original psalm. Psalms 120-134 are called songs of ascent, possibly because Jewish pilgrims sang these songs while traveling up into the Judean hills to celebrate a Jewish holiday in Jerusalem.
2128:5
Literally “Zion.” “Zion” is a term of endearment, and another name for Jerusalem. It’s a bit like “The Big Apple” for New York City.
3128:6
The Hebrew word for “peace” is shalom. It means more than “absence of conflict.” Another way of expressing the “shalom of Israel” is to say, “may all be well with Israel.” Shalom means peace along with prosperity, comfort, good health, and honesty. It’s complete care being provided for the nation, with all needs being met. It’s a wish for the best in all good things.
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