Mazmur 128:1

Psalm 128 ¹ 

A song of ascents. ² 

128:1 How blessed is every one of the Lord’s loyal followers, ³ 

each one who keeps his commands! ⁴ 

Yeremia 6:16

6:16 The Lord said to his people: ⁵ 

“You are standing at the crossroads. So consider your path. ⁶ 

Ask where the old, reliable paths ⁷  are.

Ask where the path is that leads to blessing ⁸  and follow it.

If you do, you will find rest for your souls.”

But they said, “We will not follow it!”

[128:1]  ¹ sn Psalm 128. The psalmist observes that the godly individual has genuine happiness because the Lord rewards such a person with prosperity and numerous children.

[128:1]  ² sn The precise significance of this title, which appears in Pss 120-134, is unclear. Perhaps worshipers recited these psalms when they ascended the road to Jerusalem to celebrate annual religious festivals. For a discussion of their background see L. C. Allen, Psalms 101-150 (WBC), 219-21.

[128:1]  ³ tn Heb “every fearer of the Lord.”

[128:1]  ⁴ tn Heb “the one who walks in his ways.”

[6:16]  ⁵ tn The words, “to his people” are not in the text but are implicit in the interchange of pronouns in the Hebrew of vv. 16-17. They are supplied in the translation here for clarity.

[6:16]  ⁶ tn Heb “Stand at the crossroads and look.”

[6:16]  ⁷ tn Heb “the ancient path,” i.e., the path the Lord set out in ancient times (cf. Deut 32:7).

[6:16]  ⁸ tn Heb “the way of/to the good.”