1Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways.
2For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.
3Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.
4Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord.
5The Lord shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.
6Yea, thou shalt see thy children’s children, and peace upon Israel.
📖 Chapter study
Summary
A wisdom psalm describing the practical blessings of those who fear the LORD: rewarded work, a wife compared to a fruitful vine, children like olive plants, and the joy of seeing grandchildren grow up in peace.
Explanation
This ninth 'Song of Degrees' continues the theme of the previous psalm, describing in practical, domestic terms what life looks like for those who 'walk in the ways' of God — not with promises of extraordinary wealth, but with family stability, honest work, and long life to see future generations. The agricultural images (vine, olive tree) were common symbols of sustainable prosperity in Israel's agrarian culture. The application for today is that true blessing is often found in everyday things — work, family, domestic peace — more than in extraordinary achievements.
Fun facts
- The vine and the olive tree (v.3) were, along with wheat, the three most valuable and symbolically significant crops of Israel, appearing repeatedly as symbols of prosperity throughout the Hebrew Bible.
- 'Seeing your children's children' (v.6) was considered in the ancient culture one of the greatest possible blessings, since it meant longevity and the continuation of the family across multiple generations.