Psalm 128

Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6

#140B Solemnities B Context (27th Sunday in Ordinary Time B)

R. (cf. 5) May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives.

Blessed are you who fear the LORD,
who walk in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
blessed shall you be, and favored.
R. May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives.

Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
in the recesses of your home;
your children like olive plants
around your table.
R. May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives.

Behold, thus is the man blessed
who fears the LORD.
The LORD bless you from Zion:
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
R. May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives.

May you see your children's children.
Peace be upon Israel!
R. May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives.
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Commentary on Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6

Psalm 128 is an individual lament. The author recounts the blessing on those who fear the Lord. Fear of the Lord is complex.  It is comprised elements of awe, reverence, adoration, honor, worship, confidence, thankfulness, and love. [1] Loss of the reciprocal blessings causes fear. In these strophes the writer reemphasizes the tenet of our faith regarding the need for faith in God in the marital union.

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Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5

#17ABC Solemnities ABC Context (Feast of the Holy Family ABC)-
R. (cf. 1) Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.

#157A Solemnities A Context (33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time A)

#332 Weekday Year I Context (Thursday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time)

#356 Weekday Year I Context (Thursday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time)

#375 Weekday Year I Context (Friday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time)
R. (4) See how the Lord blesses those who fear him.

#424 Weekday Year I Context (Saturday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time)
R. (4) See how the Lord blesses those who fear him.

#480 Weekday Year II Context (Tuesday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time)

#658 Proper of Saint Context (St. Hedwig Oct 16)

#739 Commons Context (Common of Holy Men and Women, 8.)

#803 Ritual Mass Context (VI. For the Conferral of the Sacrament of Marriage, 5.)
R. (see 1a) Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
or R. (4) See how the Lord blesses those who fear him.

R. (see 1a) Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

Blessed are you who fear the LORD,
who walk in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
blessed shall you be, and favored.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
in the recesses of your home;
Your children like olive plants
around your table.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

Behold, thus is the man blessed
who fears the LORD.
The LORD bless you from Zion:
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
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Commentary on Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5

Psalm 128 is a song of thanksgiving. It begins here with the typical blessings given to those following and having faith in the Lord. This selection uses the analogy of the family and the blessing it brings to the faithful, using the symbolism of vines and olives, imagery commonly used in Sacred Scripture.

It also supports the creation of woman and the marriage theme in Genesis 2:18-25. It is the logical extension of the two becoming one flesh and the children flowing from that union.

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Psalm 128:1-2, 4-5

#427 Weekday Year II Context (Wednesday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time)

R. (1) Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

Blessed are you who fear the Lord,
who walk in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
blessed shall you be, and favored.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

Behold, thus is the man blessed
who fears the Lord.
The Lord bless you from Zion:
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
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Commentary on Ps 128:1-2, 4-5

Psalm 128 is a song of thanksgiving. It begins with the typical blessings for following and having faith in the Lord. The faithful shall see the work of their hands prosper, a result of performing all deeds for the greater glory of God.

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[1] Strimple Robert B., https://opc.org/new_horizons/NH01/03a.html

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