Studies in the Psalms - Psalm 128

How To Build a Happy Home

If you are looking for the pattern to follow to start your family and build a happy home, then Psalm 128 is for you.

Psalm 128:1-3

How blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, Who walks in His ways.  When you shall eat of the fruit of your hands, You will be happy and it will be well with you.  Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine Within your house, Your children like olive plants Around your table.

Notice that this counsel is for everyone. We have made life difficult, when it is not. Fear the Lord and walk in His ways. Jesus explained it as well in Matthew 6:33, saying we should "…seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

If we men would be the godly husbands and fathers God calls us to be, our wives and our children would flourish.

Psalm 128:4
Behold, for thus shall the man be blessed Who fears the LORD.

The problems we see in America are a direct result of the breakdown of the family, but even if the family is intact, unless God is the head of the household and the father follows in His ways, the family will suffer and as we are seeing, the dysfunction carries into the following generations.

Psalm 128:5-6
The LORD bless you from Zion, And may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life.  Indeed, may you see your children's children. Peace be upon Israel!

The same blessings spoken of here for Israel, peace in our homes, is available to the Christian family.

Do you want to see your family blessed by God?

Fear the Lord. Walk in His ways. Remember the words of Psalm 127:1, “Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build labor in vain.”

Studies in the Psalms - Psalm 76

A.W. Tozer once said, “No one can know the true grace of God, who has not known the fear of God. Psalm 76 is a psalm that speaks, not only of the this fear, but is a reminder of why God is worthy of that type of respect from us. Why should we fear God?

Psalm 76:1-3

In Judah God is known; his name is great in Israel.  His abode has been established in Salem, his dwelling place in Zion.  There he broke the flashing arrows, the shield, the sword, and the weapons of war. Selah

History is important, and the history of Israel is filled with stories of the power and might of God. It’s likely that the background of this psalm is how God defeated the Assyrian army when it came against Israel in 722 BC. Read the story in 2 Kings, chapters 18 & 19.

Psalm 76:4-6
Glorious are you, more majestic than the mountains full of prey.  The stouthearted were stripped of their spoil; they sank into sleep; all the men of war were unable to use their hands.  At your rebuke, O God of Jacob, both rider and horse lay stunned.

The words of the psalmist explain the majesty and the power of God.

Psalm 76:7-9
But you, you are to be feared! Who can stand before you when once your anger is roused? From the heavens you uttered judgment; the earth feared and was still, when God arose to establish judgment, to save all the humble of the earth. Selah

This psalm not only looks back at the judgment of God, but it also looks forward to the of judgment to come.

Psalm 76:10-12
Surely the wrath of man shall praise you; the remnant of wrath you will put on like a belt. Make your vows to the LORD your God and perform them; let all around him bring gifts to him who is to be feared, who cuts off the spirit of princes, who is to be feared by the kings of the earth.

There are only two choices in life; live by faith in Christ acknowledging yourself as a sinner in need of His grace or stand against God in rebellion. If you choose the latter, expect one day the hammer of justice will fall upon you.

Choose carefully. I suggest you listen to the psalmist. Make your vows to the LORD your God and perform them; let all around him bring gifts to him who is to be feared.

Revelation 19:11-16
Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.  His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself.  He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.  And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses.  From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.  On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

We live on the precipice of war. No, not with N. Korea. With God, Almighty. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.

Fear God. Fear him so much that you understand your only hope is to be behind the covering of the one who will come on the white horse. He is called faithful and true. He is called Jesus.