Psalms
Chapter 128
This short psalm describes the good life of a person who honors the LORD and lives the way God says to live. Such a person eats the food their own work produced, has a wife and children around the table, and lives to see grandchildren. The blessing comes from Zion, the hill in Jerusalem where the temple stood, and it ends with a wish for peace over all Israel. It is one of the Songs of Ascents, sung by people traveling up to Jerusalem.
Plain reading written for preteens. Clear and complete, at about a fifth grade reading level.
Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.
1Good things come to everyone who honors the LORD and lives the way he says to live.
"Fear the LORD" in the Bible means deep respect and honor, not being scared of him.
2For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.
2You will eat the food your own hands worked for. You will be happy, and things will go well for you.
3Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.
3Your wife will be like a healthy grapevine inside your house. Your children will sit around your table like young olive trees.
4Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD.
4Look: this is how the man who honors the LORD is blessed.
5The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.
5May the LORD bless you from Zion. May you see Jerusalem doing well every day of your life.
Zion is the hill in Jerusalem where the temple stood. Saying a blessing comes "out of Zion" means it comes from God, who was worshiped there.
6Yea, thou shalt see thy children’s children, and peace upon Israel.
6May you live to see your children's children. May there be peace over Israel.
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