December 11thPsalm 128
Blessed
On reading this psalm which seeks the blessing of long life, children and grandchildren, fruitful work, and the leisure to enjoy it, we wonder, why wasn’t this true of Jesus’ life? Was he not ‘blessed’ by God?
The prosperity gospel has seized on psalms like these seeing material blessings as signs of God’s favour. So the driver of the Jaguar (F-TYPE Convertible which costs $130,000) which pulled up beside me on my ebike last summer (cost = about $129,000 less) must be much holier than I’ll ever be!
More on that later, but first let’s look at some of the key movements in this psalm:
Vs. 1-2 – ‘happy…go well.’ This seems to suggest that those who honor and obey God will have a care-free life, however the book of Psalms makes it clear that the righteous are persistently opposed and sometimes oppressed. This means that happiness or blessedness can’t finally mean a superficial cheeriness but rather the profound commitment that comes from being connected to God and relying upon God. To ‘fear the Lord’ means fundamentally to trust God’s sovereignty and to entrust life and future to God. This is NOT a mechanistic system of reward and punishment.
Vs. 1,5 - the psalmist is blessed because he has no other loyalties or worries that would distract him from focusing on the goodness of God.
Two Hebrew words are translated ‘blessing’ in this psalm. The word used in vs.1-2 describes the sense of happiness and wholeness that comes from living in good relationship with God. The word used in vs.4-5 describes what God does as God shares his abundant life with us in a relationship of salvation.
Vs. 2-4 – the fruitfulness of work and family were understood as God’s blessing, but they are not guaranteed! The righteous in Psalms frequently stand in need. However, those who fear God will know a blessedness that endures in all circumstances.
So what do we make of this psalm’s promise of extravagant blessings. Several things:
First, we should let them stand. Every gift named here is indeed a blessing. The blessing of good work, of joyous family life, of peaceful community life – are all blessings we can celebrate, without forgetting those who do not have them.
The prayer of blessing for children’s children (v.6) calls to mind a story about the Camp David peace accords worked out between Jimmy Carter, Anwar Sadat, and Menachem Begin. The talks nearly failed entirely. But as the Israeli and Egyptian presidents prepared to leave, Carter showed each leader photos of the other’s grandchildren. He had asked for them beforehand for precisely this eventuality. As the two men looked at the young faces of the grandchildren of their ‘enemy’ they surrendered anger and agreed to go back to talks. They courageously made peace, and the world was blessed – because of a glimpse of the ‘children’s children’ of the other. [1]
Second, we read all of scripture with Jesus at the center. Neither Jesus, nor Stephen, nor Paul, nor many faithful witnesses to the faith enjoyed the creature comforts we enjoy. Jesus gave up comfort for the sake of his beloved – the church – and gave his life for it, with astounding results.
Third, Christians can rightly see vs.3-4 as symbolic of the coming Kingdom where Jesus will host his beloved bride – the church – made up of the nations at the Great Banquet Table. This will be a feast made up of many nations celebrating with zest and exuberant joy. The overflowing table with family members outnumbering the seats is a marvellous image for the home, and also for the church – the household of God.
‘Around the table’ (v.3) is the sign and the symbol of the perfection of loving and joyous fellowship that is the will of God, and which indeed reflects the family nature of Godself as Holy Trinity.
To our bountiful Father above
We will offer our tribute of praise
For the glorious gift of His love
And the blessings that hallow our days.
[Sanford Fillmore Bennett]
[1] Story told by Rabbi Dr. Gopin, director of the Center for World Religions, Diplomacy, and Conflict Resolution at George Mason University.