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Psalm 128:1 - Living For Jesus Brings Real Happiness.

Psalm 128:1 - Living For Jesus Brings Real Happiness.

Psalm 128:1 (NIV) Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in 
his ways. 

Psalm 128:1 (NCV) Happy are those who respect the LORD and obey 
him. 

Psalm 128:1 (CWB) Happy are those who respect the Lord and show 
it by keeping His commandments. 

CONTEXT

Psalm 128: Blessings of Those Who Fear the Lord. 

   This song parallels Psalm 112 and reminds you of the 
blessings God sends when you fear the Lord and walk in obedience to His 
Word.  
   God will bring you enjoyment in employment (v. 2) so that 
your work will be a blessing and not a curse. Your work will be a 
ministry for the Lord.  
   God will bless you at home, beginning at the heart of the 
home (your spouse) and touching everybody else around the table. Your 
home will be a fruitful garden, not an ugly desert.  
   The blessing will then spread to the city and the nation, and 
it will go from generation to generation (vv. 5-6). [Chapter by 
Chapter Bible Commentary by Warren Wiersbe] 

COMMENTARY APPLICATION

Blessed means Happy and stems from Reverence and Obedience to 
God. [Ryrie SB] 

Happiness is the lot of the one who has learned to fear the Lord 
and walk in His ways. [Wycliffe Bible Commentary] 

Joy will fill the lives of those who walk in [God's] ways, 
[Cambridge Annotated SB] 

The fear of God is the foundation of all true happiness. This is 
not the shuddering fear that comes from conscious guilt, but the 
fear that arises from an ardent love and profound reverence for God. 
[SDA Bible Commentary] 

Only those who are truly holy, are truly happy. In vain do we 
pretend to be of those that fear God, if we do not make conscience of 
keeping stedfastly to his ways. Blessed is every one that fears the 
Lord; whether he be high or low, rich or poor in the world. If thou 
fear him and walk in his ways, all shall be well with thee while thou 
livest, better when thou diest, best of all in eternity. [Matthew Henry 
Commentary] 

Fear of the LORD, that... respect for God that motivates 
obedience, is the path of blessing for all of us. In most cases the 
blessing will be obvious: long life, prosperity, a large and happy 
family. . . . Not all of us who walk in God's way have this experience 
on earth. But every one of us who knows and serves the LORD is 
assured peace and prosperity in those "days of your life" which stretch 
on and on forever in eternity. [The 365-Day Devotional Commentary] 

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Proverbs 
1:7. One sentence of Scripture is of more value than ten thousand of 
man's ideas or arguments. Those who refuse to follow God's way will 
finally receive the sentence, "Depart from Me." But when we submit to 
God's way, the Lord Jesus guides our minds and fills our lips with 
assurance. We may be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 
Receiving Christ, we are clothed with power. An indwelling Saviour makes 
His power our property. The truth becomes our stock in trade. No 
unrighteousness is seen in the life. We are able to speak words in season to 
those who know not the truth. Christ's presence in the heart is a 
vitalizing power, strengthening the entire being.  7T71 

Everyone wants to be happy, and here is God's prescription for 
joy: Honor Him with fear, and walk in His ways. When we do what God 
tells us to do, happiness follows. Not necessarily wealth or pleasure 
or ease, but the deep-seated contentment that the apostle Paul 
described in Philippians 4:11. That's a promise worth noting! [The 365 
Daily Promise Bible By Barbour re Psalm 128:1] 

Laboring in anxious independence of God is vain (127:2), but 
working under God and in obedience to His ways is fruitful. [Bible 
Knowledge Commentary] 

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT:

Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: http://www.liftingupjesus.net/

Grace Notes: http://www.e-gracenotes.org/index.php

Excellent Spiritual Resource Site: 
http://www.christianlifemediacenter.com/   

More Spiritual Resources: http://www.aBible.com

TWO INCREDIBLE TESTIMONIES:

Finding God in a Prison Cell:
http://www.itiswritten.com/television#episodes/1212

With Christ in the Desert:
http://www.itiswritten.com/television#episodes/1211