Psalm 128: The key to successful living

This week we enjoyed Vacation Bible School. Gathering with more than 100 children every day was a great time. The children were enthusiastic, energetic and excited to learn about Jesus and God’s word. Children are basically happy. Unfortunately, many adults are not happy. A basic desire of all people everywhere, whether they be saved or lost, is to be happy. No one wants to be miserable. Everyone desires to be content and satisfied. The Christian is no different. The believer talks about his primary drive to pursue holiness and heaven. In so doing, he may give the impression that his desire for happiness is an illegitimate desire. It is not. The first recorded sermon that Jesus preached, the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), begins by promising happiness and fulfillment to all who would follow him (Matthew 5:3-12).

The first psalm begins the same way, with God promising joy and peace to those who meditate on his word (Psalm 1:1-3). It is not wrong to desire happiness. The only question is, how can a person find happiness? Our culture promises happiness in many things such as possessions, popularity, position, prestige and promotions. True contentment, though, is found in enjoying God himself. The Apostle Paul said, “Rejoice in the Lord” (Philippians 4:4). God wants us to rejoice and be fulfilled. It is found in the passionate pursuit of loving him.

Psalm 128 was written that believers may know the joy that only God can give. Happiness is not determined by one’s physical or financial condition but by one’s spiritual condition — not by where one works but by where and how one worships. Happiness is not determined by external circumstances but by internal contentment. The key is not finances or fame but faith in God. Jesus Christ is the source of eternal joy and everlasting happiness.

Psalm 128 focuses upon successful living. The pathway to fulfillment, satisfaction and contentment is detailed in these verses. Psalm 128:1-6 contains three main ideas that all reveal the path to happiness.

The first main idea is the requirement for God’s blessing. Verse 1 reads, “Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways.” To be blessed (happy, fulfilled, satisfied) is the primary message of the entire book of psalms (Psalms 1:1, 94:12, 112:1, 119:1-2, 128:1). It is certainly the central theme of this psalm. God’s blessing rests upon the person who fears him. Fearing God means to take God seriously, to reverence him deeply and to honor him greatly. A person must “fear the Lord” and “walk in his ways.” Walking in God’s ways is to live in daily obedience to the word of God. No one will be truly happy while living in disobedience to God. Only in walking in God’s ways will you be truly satisfied and content.

Fearing the Lord and walking in God’s ways means loving the Lord Jesus. All of the Scriptures point to the ultimate sacrifice Jesus made for us upon the cross. He died that we might live. He paid for our sins upon the cross. Jesus enables us to have access to God himself.

The second main idea is the realms of God’s blessing in verses 2-4. When a person takes God very seriously and walks in the light of his word, God’s blessing is very abundant. Heaven’s favor will be upon your work. “When you eat the labor of your hands, you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you” (verse 2). If you fear and obey God, your endeavors will be fruitful and rewarded.

God’s blessing will also rest upon your home life. “Your wife will be like a fruitful vine in the very heart of your house, your children like olive plants all around your table” (verse 3). God-fearing parents will have “… children like olive plants.” Olive trees, common in the Middle East, take time to mature and become profitable. When patiently cultivated, they produce crops for many years. When one’s children are rightly nurtured over time, they will become productive and prolific for God. They will also know God’s blessing. This grace will further come back to bless their parents.

Verse 4 summarizes, “Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord.” The person who reverences God will be divinely favored. He will know grace upon grace. The goodness of God will rest upon his life in double measure.

The third main idea is the request for God’s blessing in verses 5-6. The author requested, “May the Lord bless you out of Zion …” (verse 5). All blessing ultimately flows from God’s throne room in heaven. The blessings include seeing Jerusalem prosper. “May you see the good of Jerusalem all the days of your life” (verse 5). He prayed for his nation to prosper spiritually, economically and militarily.

He concluded in verse 6. “Yes, may you see your children’s children.” This is a request for a long life. It is a request for physical health in the face of sickness. It is asking for abundant crops in the face of famines. His closing petition is, “Peace be upon Israel.” Peace is the Hebrew word shalom which means prosperity.

Wherever people live they are seeking to experience the inner happiness that this psalm offers. There is a universal cry from every human heart longing to be fulfilled, satisfied and content. This bliss evades all those who reject Jesus Christ. True happiness is not found in things but in the Lord Jesus. Genuine satisfaction is found in knowing God. We know God the father through his son, Jesus. Deep-seated contentment is found only in fearing and obeying God. The key to a fulfilled life is having a right relationship with the Lord. It is found in trusting and walking with him. Only in fearing and following God does a person experience successful living.

Ethan Hansen is pastor at Faith Bible Fellowship in Big Lake. He can be reached at ehansen@biglakefaithbible.org.