For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.
Read it in contextPsalm 128 (A Song of Ascents)
Start reading at Psalms 128:1 (Psalms 128:1 to Psalms 128:6).
Psalm 128 is a complete poetic unit, a Song of Ascents, describing the blessings upon those who fear the LORD.
128:1Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.
128:2For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.
128:3Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.
128:4Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD.
128:5The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.
128:6Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children, and peace upon Israel.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Multiple writers contributed to Psalms, including David, Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and Moses; some psalms have no named attribution. The traditional Hebrew headings distinguish many of these contributions. Biblical references: Acts 2:25; Acts 4:25. book background
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Psalms 128:1–128:6): The person who fears the LORD is addressed with a blessing concerning household and community life. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Israel's worshipping community, including individuals and assemblies using the psalms for prayer, praise, lament, and instruction. A particular psalm may speak directly to God, to the congregation, or to another group. Biblical references: Psalms 22:22; Psalms 78:1; Psalms 100:1. book background
What
What is the main event or theme? The main theme is the blessings promised to those who fear the LORD and walk in His ways, including prosperity from their labor, happiness, and a blessed family life.
What is God revealing? God is revealing that those who honor Him and obey His commands will experience tangible blessings in their lives, including satisfaction in their work, personal well-being, and a fruitful family.
What is the literary style? The literary style is Hebrew poetry, characteristic of worship literature. book background
When
When was it written? The book of Psalms was collected over a period from approximately 1400 B.C. to 450 B.C. book background
When does the event take place? The blessings described are for the present life of the individual who fears the LORD, extending through their family's generations. stated in the text
Where
Where did it happen? The blessings are described as occurring in the life of the individual, within their home, and extending from Zion and Jerusalem. stated in the text
Where was the author located? The authors of the Psalms were located in Israel. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Psalm 128 (A Song of Ascents) (Psalms 128:1 to Psalms 128:6).
Start reading at Psalms 128:1. Psalm 128 is a complete poetic unit, a Song of Ascents, describing the blessings upon those who fear the LORD.
How
How does it fit the broader context? Psalm 128 is one of the Songs of Ascents (Psalms 120-134), sung by pilgrims journeying to Jerusalem. It describes the personal and familial blessings that accompany a life of fearing the LORD, connecting individual well-being with the broader blessing of the LORD from Zion and peace upon Israel. interpretation
How does it point to Christ? This psalm describes the blessings of fearing the LORD and walking in His ways. Christ is the ultimate example of one who perfectly feared the LORD and walked in His ways. The temporal blessings of peace, prosperity, and well-being described here foreshadow the ultimate spiritual blessings and peace found in the kingdom of God, which is established through Christ. The promise that 'it shall be well with thee' finds its most profound and eternal fulfillment in the peace and well-being offered through Christ. interpretation
How do I apply it today? Today, this passage encourages believers to live a life that fears the LORD and walks in His ways. It assures that God's blessing accompanies such a life, bringing satisfaction in one's labor, happiness, and peace within the family, though the specific forms of blessing may vary according to God's will. interpretation
David and others, including Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and MosesNamed in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe superscriptions name their writers: David most often, and also Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and Moses. The New Testament quotes psalms as David's words. Psalm 3:1Psalm 90:1Acts 2:25Acts 4:25
Early traditionJewish and Christian tradition preserves the superscriptions as ancient.
What is debatedSome scholars regard certain superscriptions as later additions. The collection was assembled over centuries.
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Psalms 128
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Psalms is a collection of prayers and songs with multiple attributed writers and many unspecified occasions. Read each psalm as a poetic unit and distinguish a speaker's lament, petition, vow, and praise. The five-book arrangement does not make all psalms one continuous speech. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement. A quoted heading uses the opening KJV words of that stanza; the speaker and the psalm as a whole still govern its meaning.
FocusThanksgiving, pilgrimage, and concluding praise
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The final collection gathers varied songs, the songs of degrees, and concluding calls to praise. Each psalm should first be read in its own poetic movement.
FocusThanksgiving, pilgrimage, and concluding praise
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The final collection gathers varied songs, the songs of degrees, and concluding calls to praise. Each psalm should first be read in its own poetic movement.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Psalms
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Psalms is a collection of prayers and songs with multiple attributed writers and many unspecified occasions. Read each psalm as a poetic unit and distinguish a speaker's lament, petition, vow, and praise. The five-book arrangement does not make all psalms one continuous speech.
Connection to the wholeThe opening collection brings individual and communal prayer into the setting introduced by Psalms 1 and 2, ending with a doxology.
Connection to the wholeThe second collection continues varied prayers and songs and closes with royal prayer and a doxology; its individual psalms retain distinct voices and occasions.
FocusThe sanctuary, the nation, and covenant questions
Connection to the wholeThis collection gives prominent space to communal distress and worship, ending with the tension between the Davidic promise and the king's humiliation.
Connection to the wholeThese psalms include reflection on human frailty, the LORD's kingship, worship, and Israel's history, and close with a doxology.
FocusThanksgiving, pilgrimage, and concluding praise
Connection to the wholeThe final collection gathers varied songs, the songs of degrees, and concluding calls to praise. Each psalm should first be read in its own poetic movement.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.