Psalm 128:1

Psalm 128:1

The fear of the Lord

1 Timothy 6:6 says that “Godliness with contentment is great gain.” I wonder if the Apostle Paul had been reading this psalm when he wrote those words to Timothy? This is another short song that highlights the blessings that accompany the life of a man who lives in obedience to God’s Word. This is also another Psalm of Ascents to be sung by the pilgrims as they approached the Temple Mount in Zion. Even there they were to remind themselves of their domestic lives back home, and to rededicate themselves to being godly men and women on high days and ordinary days! 

 

V1        Let’s remind ourselves of what it means to “fear the Lord.” It does not mean that we must spend the rest of our lives trembling and quaking at the merest hint of His name or the thought of His intervention in our lives. Many, like Isaiah and the Apostle John, fell at His feet as though dead when they saw a vision of His glory and grandeur, so there is some justification in our being frightened by His presence, but this is our God of love who dares us to call Him “Abba Father.” Therefore, fear of God is to exalt Him, acknowledge His supremacy, and to never underestimate His power and His glory; consequently, those who fear the Lord will seek to obey Him and obey His Word. It would be foolish to claim to know Him and yet to carry on living as if He does not exist! It is foolish to acknowledge His power and righteousness but live a life of rebellion and disobedience. If we want His blessing in our lives, then we will not just pay Him lip service, but will earnestly seek to honour Him in our words and deeds. After all, He does have the last word in everything, and He is watching our every action, and He knows our every thought. That alone should cause us to fear Him!

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