“Blessed is Every One Who Fears the Lord” (Ps 128)

“Blessed is every one who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways.  When you eat the labor of your hands, you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you” (vs1-2)

Fearing the Lord, we are blessed indeed. He says, “Blessed is every one who fears the Lord”, and, “Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord”.  Like Noah, being warned of God, we move with fear (Heb 11:7).  Like the manslayer, with death approaching us, we run to Christ and stay put (Numb 35:22-28). We do what God says by the power that He gives, because we FEAR sin and its consequences. 

This blessed life of fearing God shall be rewarded with joy, assurance, and peace. Jesus says, “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him” (John 14:21). God’s Son will fellowship with you, you’ll be assured that you are saved, and you’ll have a clear mind devoted to and taught by God.  There is no higher person than one who fears God, being blessed, both now and eternally, for we sow what we reap (Gal 6:7-10).

God’s blessed us to fear by godly sorrow.  Paul says, “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.  For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: what diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter” (2 Cor 7:10-11).  He puts shame and conviction upon us, and yet He gives us hope in Christ, that there is forgiveness and power to overcome. Jacob thought Esau would kill him, so he wrestled with the Angel all night, REFUSING to let Him go (Gen 32:36).  Like the saints in 2 Corinthians, we have godly fear, which produces zeal, and the clearing of our transgressions by pardon and power.  We who fear God plead with Him for strength to overcome.  We fight with sin, and we conquer with God and man.  We overcome the world because fear drives us to Christ to be blessed, blessed, blessed!

Finally, the Lord uses spiritual pictures to describe your soul’s blessedness (Ps 128:3-6).  He says, “Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the very heart of your house [flourishing and near to you], your children like olive plants all around your table [blessed with joy].  Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord”. These pictures speak of soul prosperity, forgiveness enjoyed, and the power to overcome.  Your enemies may be in your household, but God will be your in peace, He will bless your obedience, and He will give assurance of heaven! He will use you, hear your prayer, and you will help others.  This blessedness may be invisible to men, but you will feel, see, and experience it. He promises, “When you eat the labor of your hands [the fruit of your fearing God], you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you”.

Don’t be ashamed of fearing God, as if zeal isn’t worth the trouble, or it’s unimportant to happiness. Every one who fears God is blessed, and the more we fear, the better we live.  Take heed and get power over sin.  Trust Christ because you have to, and He’ll reward your fear with salvation. He told Jacob, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have power with God and with men, and have prevailed” (Gen 32:28).