Psalms 128:1
Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways.
Study Note
Study Note
The beatitude 'blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways' opens Psalm 128 with the foundational covenantal formula linking fear of God to obedient lifestyle — the Deuteronomic pattern of hearing, fearing, and walking. The 'fear of the Lord' (yir'at Yahweh) in wisdom literature is not terror but the reverent awe that orders every relationship and activity in light of God's holiness and covenant claim — Proverbs 1:7's 'beginning of wisdom.' The psalm proceeds to describe domestic blessing (fruitful wife, children, long life) that flows from this foundational orientation, presenting covenantal fidelity as the source of shalom in family and social life. As a Song of Ascent, it was sung by pilgrims approaching Jerusalem, framing the entire journey as a walk in God's ways toward his presence.
Other Translations
Blessed is every one that feareth Jehovah, That walketh in his ways.
A Song of the Ascents. O the happiness of every one fearing Jehovah, Who is walking in His ways.
Happy is the worshipper of the Lord, who is walking in his ways.
Cross References
And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
Then had the churches rest throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear …
The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.
Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the …
When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.
They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.
If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, now may Israel say;
Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens.
I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.