Useful Bible Studies > Songs of Ascent Commentary

Last part: God’s perfect desire for families

 

Psalm 128

God’s plans for Israel

The poet also prays that God will show his goodness to Jerusalem. And, he prays for peace in Israel. This can only happen completely when Messiah comes. ‘Messiah’ means the king whom God appoints to save his people. Christians believe that Jesus is God’s Messiah. Jesus’ title, ‘Christ’, is a translation of the word ‘Messiah’. Christians believe that Jesus will return to establish peace in the world, including in Israel. And he will rule as Israel’s king in Jerusalem.

The poet prays for the family of the man who respects God. This whole Psalm has been about that man’s family. The poet prays that the man will live long enough to see his grandchildren.

God has chosen the *Jewish people and he wanted their families to increase. He has made promises about the future of that nation.

So a man who saw his grandchildren would have a special reason to praise God. That man would see that God was carrying out his promises to Israel. By those grandchildren, the *Jewish people would continue in future years. And at the proper time, God will complete everything that he has promised to the *Jewish people.

Next part: Psalm 128 as poetry

See the word list for explanation of words with a *

 

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© 2015, Keith Simons.