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
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, …
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his …
Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways!
Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.
But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto …
Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.
He will bless them that fear the Lord, both small and great.
Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.
They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.