THE BLESSING OF FEAR – Psalm 128 – 5-12-2024

The poetic context of Psalm 128 parallels passages from the prophets. Two examples might be Micah 4 and Zechariah 8. Our song today is a personalized confession and invocation of the redemption and hope found in Old Testament prophecies. Shining forth in the midst of judgment oracles and warnings in prophetic literature, is the language of restoration for Zion - God's covenant people. This song appropriates the promises of salvation in the style of wisdom literature and applies them to the individual who fears the Lord. For the psalmist, the fear of the Lord is not only the foundation of wisdom and knowledge - as Proverbs makes clear - it is the beginning of human flourishing as well. Psalm 15 ( our worship text) might well be considered alongside Psalm 128. Here, David ties the heart of godly integrity to the promise of God's abiding with man. Anticipating the Psalms of Ascent theme, songs like this provide substantial context to what would otherwise be a mere formal greeting in Hebrew culture. "Shalom" is the highest of well wishes when it conveys the covenant assurances of the Psalms. Indeed, may peace be upon all true Israel through her messiah Jesus Christ, the fulfillment of hope proclaimed in psalm 128.