Psalm 128:5

Psalm 128:5

Blessings from Zion

This unique Psalm promises many things to those who love and obey the Lord, and now there is a special blessing bestowed on all who are included in the company of believers. The earthly Zion was just a reflection of a spiritual reality, God has a heavenly throne in the heavenly Zion, the author of Hebrews puts it like this, “But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem” …..  (Hebrews 12:22-24) it’s worth reading on! 

For the Jewish readers of this Psalm, Zion and Jerusalem were not heavenly places but earthly centres of worship and holiness. For the Israelites, God’s dwelling was on earth, amongst them, and they had a physical location with a glorious Temple that they visited as often as was possible. 

The Psalm seems to promise unbroken prosperity for those who love the Lord, not only individually but as a whole nation. Included in the blessing is the hope of a secure national existence and also a secure relationship with God Himself. This blessing is a summary of the great pronouncements on Mount Gerizim, that are written down in Deuteronomy 28, where blessings would accompany those who obeyed the Lord and who walked in His ways. These were national blessings, as were the curses that were pronounced on Mount Ebal. 

It is sometimes difficult to make a distinction between the blessings that God gives to individuals and to families, as opposed to the curses that may well fall on a nation that is living in disobedience and unbelief. Some Christians struggle when they see the state of the culture around them and wonder how it is possible to be unaffected! Whatever happens around us, our task is to carry on living God’s way, upholding His moral standards and seeking to be a light to those who live in darkness. As we do so the Lord will bless us, He has promised!

 

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