Psalms 128:4

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 128:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Behold, thus shall the man be blessed That feareth Jehovah.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Behold, thus shall the man be blessed That feareth Jehovah.
Psalms 128:4 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 128

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
4Behold, thus shall the man be blessed That feareth Jehovah.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord.] In the manner before described, and in the instances already given, as well as in the following; this is said to raise attention, and fix a sense of the blessedness of such persons; and who are further addressed, and pronounced happy, in the next verses.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed ... - As if he had said, “Look upon this picture. See the farmer cultivating his fields; see him gathering in the grain; see him at his own table calmly, quietly, and gratefully enjoying the fruit of his toil. Look upon that picture of a happy family - numerous, cheerful, beloved - giving promise of upholding the name of the family in future years - and see all this as coming from the Lord - and you have an illustration of the blessedness which follows a religious life.” return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“128:4-6 God will continually bless all who fear him (133:3) from his dwelling in Zion (20:2; 50:2; 110:2), no matter where they live. • grandchildren: God’s blessings extend from generation to generation for the faithful (79:12-13; 89:1; 100:4-5; 103:17-19).”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“Pointing back to this charming picture of family life, the poet goes on to say: behold, for thus = behold, thus is the man actually blessed who fears Jahve. כּי confirms the reality of the matter of fact to which the הנּה points. The promissory future in Psa 128:5 is followed by imperatives which call upon the God-fearing man at once to do that which, in accordance with the promises, stands before him as certain. מציּון as in Psa 134:3; Psa 20:3. בּנים לבניך instead of בּני בניך gives a designed indefiniteness to the first member of the combination. Every blessing the individual enjoys comes from the God of salvation, who has taken up His abode in Zion, and is perfected in participation in…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification