The Blessed Father

Psalm 128

“Choose the good

path, Dad; I’m coming

right behind you!”

A father has a great responsibility to choose the right

path for his family.

A father has a great responsibility to choose the right

path for his family.

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he

is old he will not depart from it” (Prov 22:6, ESV).

A father has a great responsibility to choose the right

path for his family.

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he

is old he will not depart from it” (Prov 22:6, ESV).

“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but

bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the

Lord” (Eph 6:4, ESV).

A father has a great responsibility to choose the right

path for his family.

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he

is old he will not depart from it” (Prov 22:6, ESV).

“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but

bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the

Lord” (Eph 6:4, ESV).

In the past, we have spoken a good deal about that

great responsibility.

A father has a great responsibility to choose the right

path for his family.

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he

is old he will not depart from it” (Prov 22:6, ESV).

“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but

bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the

Lord” (Eph 6:4, ESV).

In the past, we have spoken a good deal about that

great responsibility.

This morning‟s text isn‟t about that responsibility.

A father has a great responsibility to choose the right

path for his family.

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he

is old he will not depart from it” (Prov 22:6, ESV).

“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but

bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the

Lord” (Eph 6:4, ESV).

In the past, we have spoken a good deal about that

great responsibility.

This morning‟s text isn‟t about that responsibility.

Instead, the text is about the blessings for fulfilling that

responsibility.

Psalm 128

First, this Psalm serves as an “appendix” to Psalm 127.

First, this Psalm serves as an “appendix” to Psalm 127.

That Psalm speaks of the blessings of children.

First, this Psalm serves as an “appendix” to Psalm 127.

That Psalm speaks of the blessings of children: “Behold,

children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the

womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior

are the children of one‟s youth” (vv 3-4, ESV).

First, this Psalm serves as an “appendix” to Psalm 127.

That Psalm speaks of the blessings of children: “Behold,

children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the

womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior

are the children of one‟s youth” (vv 3-4, ESV).

That Psalm ends the way this Psalm begins.

First, this Psalm serves as an “appendix” to Psalm 127.

That Psalm speaks of the blessings of children: “Behold,

children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the

womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior

are the children of one‟s youth” (vv 3-4, ESV).

That Psalm ends the way this Psalm begins: “Blessed in

the man . . . .” (v 5, ESV).

Second, this Psalm is firmly rooted in the culture of

ancient Israel.

Second, this Psalm is firmly rooted in the culture of

ancient Israel.

The text speaks of the one who eats “the fruit of the

labor of [his] hands” (v 2, ESV).

Second, this Psalm is firmly rooted in the culture of

ancient Israel.

The text speaks of the one who eats “the fruit of the

labor of [his] hands” (v 2, ESV). We typically do not eat

“the fruit of the labor of [our] hands.”

Second, this Psalm is firmly rooted in the culture of

ancient Israel.

The text speaks of the one who eats “the fruit of the

labor of [his] hands” (v 2, ESV). We typically do not eat

“the fruit of the labor of [our] hands.”

The text also speaks of the wife “within your house” (v

3, ESV).

Second, this Psalm is firmly rooted in the culture of

ancient Israel.

The text speaks of the one who eats “the fruit of the

labor of [his] hands” (v 2, ESV). We typically do not eat

“the fruit of the labor of [our] hands.”

The text also speaks of the wife “within your house” (v

3, ESV).

The Hebrew literally reads, “In the innermost parts of

your house.”

Second, this Psalm is firmly rooted in the culture of

ancient Israel.

The text speaks of the one who eats “the fruit of the

labor of [his] hands” (v 2, ESV). We typically do not eat

“the fruit of the labor of [our] hands.”

The text also speaks of the wife “within your house” (v

3, ESV).

The Hebrew literally reads, “In the innermost parts of

your house.”

In ancient Oriental cultures, the women‟s quarters were

the innermost parts of the house, & they, therefore, were

not generally expected to be seen outside of the house.

Second, this Psalm is firmly rooted in the culture of

ancient Israel.

Thus, some of the imagery the psalmist uses will

sound quite strange to us.

Third, this Psalm, like the other Psalms, is poetry.

Third, this Psalm, like the other Psalms, is poetry.

The psalmist compares the wife to a “fruitful vine” &

the children to “olive shoots” (v 3, ESV).

Third, this Psalm, like the other Psalms, is poetry.

The psalmist compares the wife to a “fruitful vine” &

the children to “olive shoots” (v 3, ESV).

Therefore, we need to be careful about taking this

Psalm too literally.

This morning, we want

to examine "THE

BLESSED FATHER."

This morning, we want

to examine "THE

BLESSED FATHER."

A FEARFUL FIDELITY

A FRUITFUL FAMILY

A FAITHFUL FELLOWSHIP

A FEARFUL FIDELITY

v 1

“Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks

in his ways!” (v 1, ESV).

What does it mean to

"fear the LORD"?

Hebrew poetry uses parallelism.

Hebrew poetry uses parallelism.

Thus, the second line often explains the first line.

Hebrew poetry uses parallelism.

Thus, the second line often explains the first line.

“Deliver me, O LORD, from lying lips, from a deceitful

tongue” (Ps 120:2, ESV).

Hebrew poetry uses parallelism.

Thus, the second line often explains the first line.

“Deliver me, O LORD, from lying lips, from a deceitful

tongue” (Ps 120:2, ESV).

“Lying lips” & “a deceitful tongue” refer to the same

thing—viz., a lying person.

Hebrew poetry uses parallelism.

Thus, the second line often explains the first line.

Therefore, in this Psalm, fearing the LORD is the

same thing as walking in his ways.

Throughout the Scriptures, “fearing the LORD” means

“honoring him in daily lives.”

Throughout the Scriptures, “fearing the LORD” means

“honoring him in daily lives.”

“There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was

Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who

feared God and turned away from evil” (Job 1:1, ESV).

Throughout the Scriptures, “fearing the LORD” means

“honoring him in daily lives.”

Job 1:1.

“Whoever walks in uprightness fears the LORD” (Prov

14:2, ESV).

Throughout the Scriptures, “fearing the LORD” means

“honoring him in daily lives.”

Job 1:1.

Prov 14:2.

“The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit

of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and

might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the

LORD” (Is 11:2, ESV).

In this Psalm, fearing the LORD means that one obeys

him.

In this Psalm, fearing the LORD means that one obeys

him.

Obedience to God is absolutely essential to pleasing

him.

In this Psalm, fearing the LORD means that one obeys

him.

Obedience to God is absolutely essential to pleasing

him.

After Saul took spoil from the Amalekites, contrary to

the will of God, “the word of the LORD came to

Samuel: „I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has

turned back from following me and has not performed

my commandments‟” (1 Sm 15:10-11, ESV).

In this Psalm, fearing the LORD means that one obeys

him.

Obedience to God is absolutely essential to pleasing

him.

1 Sm 15:10-11.

God had given Saul quite explicit instructions for going

against the Amalekites.

In this Psalm, fearing the LORD means that one obeys

him.

Obedience to God is absolutely essential to pleasing

him.

1 Sm 15:10-11.

God had given Saul quite explicit instructions for going

against the Amalekites.

“Devote to destruction all that they have. Do not spare

them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox

and sheep, camel and donkey” (1 Sm 15:3, ESV).

In this Psalm, fearing the LORD means that one obeys

him.

Obedience to God is absolutely essential to pleasing

him.

1 Sm 15:10-11.

God had given Saul quite explicit instructions for going

against the Amalekites.

“Devote to destruction all that they have. Do not spare

them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox

and sheep, camel and donkey” (1 Sm 15:3, ESV).

But, Saul & his men refused to “devote to destruction”

everything.

In this Psalm, fearing the LORD means that one obeys

him.

Obedience to God is absolutely essential to pleasing

him.

1 Sm 15:10-11.

God had given Saul quite explicit instructions for going

against the Amalekites.

“Devote to destruction all that they have. Do not spare

them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox

and sheep, camel and donkey” (1 Sm 15:3, ESV).

But, Saul & his men refused to “devote to destruction”

everything. Therefore, the LORD rejected Saul as king.

In this Psalm, fearing the LORD means that one obeys

him.

Obedience to God is absolutely essential to pleasing

him.

1 Sm 15:10-11.

“This day the LORD your God commands you to do

these statutes and rules. You shall therefore be careful

to do them with all your heart and with all your soul”

(Deut 26:16, ESV).

In this Psalm, fearing the LORD means that one obeys

him.

Obedience to God is absolutely essential to pleasing

him.

1 Sm 15:10-11.

Deut 26:16.

“Not everyone who says to me, „Lord, Lord,‟ will enter

the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will

of my Father who is in heaven” (Mt 7:21, ESV).

Do we fear the LORD &

walk in his ways?

A FRUITFUL FAMILY

vv 3, 6

“You wife will be like a fruitful vine within your

house; your children will be like olive shoots around

your table” (v 3, ESV).

The blessed father‟s wife will be like a fruitful vine.

The blessed father‟s wife will be like a fruitful vine.

“Behold, children are a heritage of the LORD, the fruit

of the womb a reward” (Ps 127:3, ESV).

The blessed father‟s wife will be like a fruitful vine.

“Behold, children are a heritage of the LORD, the fruit

of the womb a reward” (Ps 127:3, ESV).

The image of the vine was quite important in ancient

Israel.

The blessed father‟s wife will be like a fruitful vine.

“Behold, children are a heritage of the LORD, the fruit

of the womb a reward” (Ps 127:3, ESV).

The image of the vine was quite important in ancient

Israel.

It was a symbol of peace & prosperity.

The blessed father‟s wife will be like a fruitful vine.

“Behold, children are a heritage of the LORD, the fruit

of the womb a reward” (Ps 127:3, ESV).

The image of the vine was quite important in ancient

Israel.

It was a symbol of peace & prosperity: “Judah and Israel

lived in safety, from Dan even to Beersheba, every man

under his vine and under his fig tree, all the days of

Solomon” (1 Ki 4:25, ESV).

The blessed father‟s wife will be like a fruitful vine.

“Behold, children are a heritage of the LORD, the fruit

of the womb a reward” (Ps 127:3, ESV).

The image of the vine was quite important in ancient

Israel.

It was a symbol of peace & prosperity (1 Ki 4:25).

It was a symbol of the Messianic age.

The blessed father‟s wife will be like a fruitful vine.

“Behold, children are a heritage of the LORD, the fruit

of the womb a reward” (Ps 127:3, ESV).

The image of the vine was quite important in ancient

Israel.

It was a symbol of peace & prosperity (1 Ki 4:25).

It was a symbol of the Messianic age.

In the latter days “they shall sit every man under his vine

and under his fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid,

for the mouth of the LORD of hosts has spoken” (Mic 4:4,

ESV).

The blessed father‟s wife will be like a fruitful vine.

“Behold, children are a heritage of the LORD, the fruit

of the womb a reward” (Ps 127:3, ESV).

The image of the vine was quite important in ancient

Israel.

It was a symbol of peace & prosperity (1 Ki 4:25).

It was a symbol of the Messianic age.

Mic 4:4.

“In that day, declares the LORD of hosts, every one of you

will invite his neighbor to come under his vine and under

his fig tree” (Zech 3:10, ESV).

How should we

understand this

image?

This image reminds us of the blessings of a wife.

This image reminds us of the blessings of a wife.

“The LORD God said, „It is not good that the man

should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him‟”

(Gn 2:18, ESV).

This image reminds us of the blessings of a wife.

“The LORD God said, „It is not good that the man

should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him‟”

(Gn 2:18, ESV).

“An excellent wife is the crown of her husband” (Prov

12:4, ESV).

This image reminds us of the blessings of a wife.

“The LORD God said, „It is not good that the man

should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him‟”

(Gn 2:18, ESV).

“An excellent wife is the crown of her husband” (Prov

12:4, ESV).

“He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains

favor from the LORD” (Prov 18:22, ESV).

Do we realize what a

blessing our wives

are?

Do we honor God by “showing honor to the woman”

(1 Pt 3:7, ESV)?

Do we honor God by “showing honor to the woman”

(1 Pt 3:7, ESV)?

Do we love God by loving our wives “as Christ loved

the church” (Eph 5:25, ESV)?

The blessed father‟s children will be like olive shoots

around his table.

The blessed father‟s children will be like olive shoots

around his table.

The olive was very important in ancient Israel.

The blessed father‟s children will be like olive shoots

around his table.

The olive was very important in ancient Israel.

Olives provided the oil for the light in the tabernacle (Ex

27:20).

The blessed father‟s children will be like olive shoots

around his table.

The olive was very important in ancient Israel.

Olives provided the oil for the light in the tabernacle (Ex

27:20).

Olives, with spices & perfumes, was part of the oil used

for anointing priests (Ex 30:24).

The blessed father‟s children will be like olive shoots

around his table.

The olive was very important in ancient Israel.

Olives provided the oil for the light in the tabernacle (Ex

27:20).

Olives, with spices & perfumes, was part of the oil used

for anointing priests (Ex 30:24).

Olives provided food (Hab 3:17).

The blessed father‟s children will be like olive shoots

around his table.

The olive was very important in ancient Israel.

Olives provided the oil for the light in the tabernacle (Ex

27:20).

Olives, with spices & perfumes, was part of the oil used

for anointing priests (Ex 30:24).

Olives provided food (Hab 3:17).

Olive oil was even used medicinally.

The blessed father‟s children will be like olive shoots

around his table.

The olive was very important in ancient Israel.

The olive tree takes many years to reach maturity.

The point is that with careful cultivation our children

will provide fruit for years to come.

The point is that with careful cultivation our children

will provide fruit for years to come.

A point could be that children will bear their own

children.

The point is that with careful cultivation our children

will provide fruit for years to come.

A point could be that children will bear their own

children.

But, because of the emphasis on righteousness, the

point is likely that mature children will continue a

righteous heritage.

Children often imitate their parents.

Children often imitate their parents.

Abijam “walked in all the sins that his father did before

him, and his heart was not wholly true to the LORD

his God” (1 Ki 15:3, ESV).

Children often imitate their parents.

Abijam “walked in all the sins that his father did before

him, and his heart was not wholly true to the LORD

his God” (1 Ki 15:3, ESV).

Uzziah “did what was right in the eyes of the LORD,

according to all that his father Amaziah had done” (2

Chr 26:4, ESV).

“May you see your children‟s children!” (v 6, ESV).

Most Israelites—like most people today—had

grandchildren.

Most Israelites—like most people today—had

grandchildren.

But, with lower life spans, most people never saw their

grandchildren.

Most Israelites—like most people today—had

grandchildren.

But, with lower life spans, most people never saw their

grandchildren.

Thus grandchildren were a high-prized blessing.

Most Israelites—like most people today—had

grandchildren.

But, with lower life spans, most people never saw their

grandchildren.

Thus grandchildren were a high-prized blessing:

“Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the

glory of children is their fathers” (Prov 17:6, ESV).

Is your family, because

of your righteousness,

A FRUITFUL FAMILY?

A FAITHFUL

FELLOWSHIP

v 5

The LORD bless you from Zion! May you see the

prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life!” (v 5,

ESV).

“Zion” was a fortified hill in or near Jerusalem.

“Zion” was a fortified hill in or near Jerusalem.

David took Zion on his conquest of Jerusalem (2 Sm

5:6-10).

“Zion” was a fortified hill in or near Jerusalem.

David took Zion on his conquest of Jerusalem (2 Sm

5:6-10).

Biblical writers use “Zion” to refer to (a) Jerusalem; (b)

the Temple; or (c) the heavenly city.

“Zion” was a fortified hill in or near Jerusalem.

David took Zion on his conquest of Jerusalem (2 Sm

5:6-10).

Biblical writers use “Zion” to refer to (a) Jerusalem; (b)

the Temple; or (c) the heavenly city.

The relation of Zion to Jerusalem in this verse

suggests that we should think of Zion as Jerusalem, the

place where God dwelt in the Temple (1 Ki 8:10-11).

The psalmist wishes for the faithful man “the

prosperity of Jerusalem.”

The psalmist wishes for the faithful man “the

prosperity of Jerusalem.”

When the ancient Israelites were away from Jerusalem,

they were greatly concerned about the security of

Jerusalem, the Temple, & the strength of the Davidic

kingdom.

The psalmist wishes for the faithful man “the

prosperity of Jerusalem.”

When the ancient Israelites were away from Jerusalem,

they were greatly concerned about the security of

Jerusalem, the Temple, & the strength of the Davidic

kingdom.

The Psalm is “A Song of Ascents,” one the people would

sing as they traveled to Jerusalem for an important feast.

The psalmist wishes for the faithful man “the

prosperity of Jerusalem.”

When the ancient Israelites were away from Jerusalem,

they were greatly concerned about the security of

Jerusalem, the Temple, & the strength of the Davidic

kingdom.

The Psalm is “A Song of Ascents,” one the people would

sing as they traveled to Jerusalem for an important feast.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May they be secure

who love you! Peace be within your walls and security

within your towers!” (Psalm 122:6-7, ESV).

The psalmist wishes for the faithful man “the

prosperity of Jerusalem.”

When the ancient Israelites were away from Jerusalem,

they were greatly concerned about the security of

Jerusalem, the Temple, & the strength of the Davidic

kingdom.

Jerusalem & Temple worship mattered to a faithful

Israelite to the core of his being.

How much do such

things matter to us?

How much do such

things matter to us?

How much do we care about

the church?

The church should matter to us greatly.

The church should matter to us greatly.

“Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock,

in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to

care for the church of God, which he obtained with his

own blood” (Acts 20:28, ESV).

The church should matter to us greatly.

Acts 20:28.

“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church

and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her,

having cleansed her by the washing of water with the

word, so that he might present the church to himself in

splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing,

that she might be holy and without blemish” (Eph 5:25-

28, ESV).

The church should matter to us greatly.

Does the church really matter that much to us?

The church should matter to us greatly.

Does the church really matter that much to us?

The “Model Prayer”: “Your kingdom come” (Mt 6:10,

ESV).

The church should matter to us greatly.

Does the church really matter that much to us?

The “Model Prayer”: “Your kingdom come” (Mt 6:10,

ESV).

I do not deny that the kingdom of God has come upon

the earth.

The church should matter to us greatly.

Does the church really matter that much to us?

The “Model Prayer”: “Your kingdom come” (Mt 6:10,

ESV).

I do not deny that the kingdom of God has come upon

the earth.

But, can‟t we pray, “Your kingdom spread?”

The church should matter to us greatly.

Does the church really matter that much to us?

The “Model Prayer”: “Your kingdom come” (Mt 6:10,

ESV).

I do not deny that the kingdom of God has come upon

the earth.

But, can‟t we pray, “Your kingdom spread?”

The principle of Jesus‟ prayer is that the kingdom of God

fill the earth.

The church should matter to us greatly.

Does the church really matter that much to us?

The “Model Prayer”: “Your kingdom come” (Mt 6:10,

ESV).

I do not deny that the kingdom of God has come upon

the earth.

But, can‟t we pray, “Your kingdom spread?”

The principle of Jesus‟ prayer is that the kingdom of God

fill the earth.

Shall we pray for the church?

Do we care about the

church as the ancient

Israelites cared about

the Temple?

Man

Family

Man

Jerusalem

Family

Man

Israel

Jerusalem

Family

Man

The point: As men live like they should, families live

like they should; as families live like they should, cities

live like they should, as cities live like they should,

nations live like they should.

The point: As men live like they should, families live

like they should; as families live like they should, cities

live like they should, as cities live like they should,

nations live like they should.

“As goes the home, so goes the nation.”

We often lament the moral decline in this nation.

We often lament the moral decline in this nation.

There can be no doubt but that there is serious, serious

moral decay in America.

We often lament the moral decline in this nation.

There can be no doubt but that there is serious, serious

moral decay in America.

But, we can do something about it.

We often lament the moral decline in this nation.

There can be no doubt but that there is serious, serious

moral decay in America.

But, we can do something about it—live right & train

our families to live right.

Are you training your

family to live

righteously?

Are you training your

family to live

righteously?

Are you living righteously?