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Psalm 128:4-6
New Catholic Bible
Psalm 128:4-6
New Catholic Bible
4 Such are the blessings that will be bestowed
on the man who fears the Lord.
5 [a]May the Lord bless you from Zion[b]
all the days of your life.
May you rejoice in the prosperity of Jerusalem
6 and live to see your children’s children.[c]
Peace be upon Israel.
Footnotes
- Psalm 128:5 The psalmist further summarizes the blessedness of the righteous—unbroken prosperity, true relationship with God, secure national defense, and long life. In doing so, he implicitly calls upon and encourages each one of the faithful to contribute to the building up of the kingdom of God by leading an upright life in the presence of God.
- Psalm 128:5 The presence of God extends to his faithful servant wherever he may live. For the new People of God, it signifies the blessing of God on all who have the Spirit dwelling in them. From Zion: see Pss 9:11; 20:3; 135:21.
- Psalm 128:6 Live to see your children’s children: this prayer for the righteous corresponds to the phrase found in verse 5: “all the days of your life.” It calls down upon them God’s blessing of longevity, which was one of the greatest favors to be sought in a time when an idea of the afterlife had not yet been fully attained. Peace be upon Israel: see note on Ps 125:5. By these words, the psalmist applies God’s blessing on the individual to the whole People of God, requesting well-being and prosperity for all. Paul may be echoing this phrase in Gal 6:16: “May peace and mercy be given to all who follow this rule, and to the Israel of God.” It sums up Paul’s concern that God’s people should show themselves true citizens of “the Jerusalem that is above” (Gal 4:26).
