A Brief Explication of the Last Fifty Psalms, Psalm 128
PSALME CXXVIII.
THe scope of this Psalme is to shew the blessedness of the man that feareth God, which doth appeare: First, in the temporal blessing of him in his calling, v. 1, 2. Secondly, in his familie, v. 3, 4. Thirdly, in pouring spiritual blessings upon him, v. 5, 6.
Ver. 1. BLessed is every one that feareth the LORD: that walketh in his wayes.
2. For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.
From the doctrine of the blessedness of the man that feareth God; Learn, 1. That the sure evidence of a sound believer, and truly blessed man, is the true fear of God, keeping him in the awe and reverent obedience of God: Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord. 2. He is not the man that feareth God, whose fear is taught by the Precepts of men, or who deviseth to himself wayes of Gods service, and bindeth superstitious bonds upon his own conscience, but he that walketh in the prescribed paths of the obedience of Gods commands: only he feareth God, that walketh in his wayes. 3. The fear of God doth not consist with an idle life, but requireth that a man according to his abilities should be employed in some lawful exercise, profitable for the use of the incorporation where he liveth: for here the labour of his hands is presupposed, whereby Gods blessing of him may be derived unto him: Thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands. 4. It is no small favour from God, to have the right and comfortable use of Gods benefits given unto us, and only the godly man who is painful in his calling, hath the promise of this; Happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.
Ver. 3. Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house, thy children like Olive-plants, round about thy table.
4. Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed, that feareth the LORD▪
From the second evidence, which is Gods blessing of his familie; Learn, 1. Marriage is a state of life well beseeming the godly man, and it neither hindereth the fear of God, nor the mans felicity, but consisteth well therewith: Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine. 2. Godlinesse is great gain, it hath the promise of this life, (so far as is good for us,) and of the life to come: wife and children, and a table with maintenance competent for the sustenance of the family, are branches of blessednesse, when bestowed upon a godly man, and should be so looked upon; Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thy house, thy children like Olive-plants round about thy Table. 3. There is a reward for the righteous, even in this life, and albeit it be not alwayes discerned, yet he who shall behold and consider Gods providence about the godly man, shall see this temporal favour, or the equivalent granted unto him: therefore is it said, Behold, thus (that is, in this or the equivalent benefit,) shall the man he blessed that feareth the Lord.
Ver. 5. The LORD shall blesse thee out of Zion▪ and thou shalt see the good of Ierusalem, all the days of thy life.
6. Yea, thou shalt see thy childrens children: and peace upon Israel.
From the third evidence of Gods blessing of the true believer and fearer of his Name, by giving him things spiritual; Learn, 1. What measure soever of things temporal the Lord shall give to the man that feareth him, he reserveth unto him all the promises of righteousnesse and life, which the Lords Word holdeth forth to the Church, and of those he shall be sure; The Lord shall blesse thee out of Zion. 2. The godly man shall not want succession, if God see it good for him or if not children of his bobody, yet followers of his faith and footsteps in Piety, whom he hath been instrumental to convert: Thou shalt see thy childrens children. 3. Whatsoever estate the Church of God be in, during the godly mans life-time, he shall behold in the mirrour of the Lords Word, and in the sensible feeling of his own experience, he shall perceive and take up the blessed condition of the true Church of God, and rejoyce therein all his dayes; Thou shalt see the good of Ierusalem all the dayes of thy life, thou shalt see peace upon Israel.