| Psalm 128 | |
| Subtitle: | "Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD" |
| Type: | Song of Ascents |
| Image Upright: | 1.2 |
| Language: | Hebrew (original) |
| Other Name: |
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Psalm 128 is the 128th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "Blessed is every one that feareth the ; that walketh in his ways". In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate, this psalm is Psalm 127. In Latin, it is known as "Beati omnes qui timent Dominum".[1]
The psalm forms a regular part of Jewish, Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican and other Protestant liturgies.
The following table shows the Hebrew text[2] [3] of the Psalm with vowels alongside an English translation based upon the JPS 1917 translation (now in the public domain).
| Verse | Hebrew | English translation (JPS 1917) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A Song of Ascents. Happy is every one that feareth the LORD, That walketh in His ways. | ||
| 2 | When thou eatest the labour of thy hands, Happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. | ||
| 3 | Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine, in the innermost parts of thy house; Thy children like olive plants, round about thy table. | ||
| 4 | Behold, surely thus shall the man be blessed That feareth the LORD. | ||
| 5 | The LORD bless thee out of Zion; And see thou the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life; | ||
| 6 | And see thy children's children. Peace be upon Israel! |
Written anonymously, Psalm 128 likely dates to the post-exilic period (that is, after about 539 BCE).[4]
The Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary describes Zechariah 8:1–8 as a "virtual commentary on this psalm".[5]
May you see your children’s children! Peace be upon Israel![6] This verse recalls Jacob's reunion with his son Joseph in Genesis 48:11: And Israel [Jacob] said to Joseph, "I had not thought to see your face; but in fact, God has also shown me your offspring!" and is reflected in Job's restoration: After this Job lived one hundred and forty years, and saw his children and grandchildren for four generations.[7] [8] Proverbs 17:6 celebrates the same idea: Children’s children are the crown of old men.[9]
The concluding prayer for peace upon Israel, which also appears in Psalm 125, is best taken as a "detached clause", according to the Pulpit Commentary.[8]
In traditional Jewish practice, this psalm is recited following Mincha between Sukkot and Shabbat Hagadol.[10] It is also recited prior to Aleinu during Motzei Shabbat Maariv,[11] and among the prayers of the Bedtime Shema.[12] Its second verse is found in Pirkei Avot Chapter 4, no. 1[13] and Chapter 6, no. 4.[14]
Traditionally, since the Middle Ages, this psalm has been recited within the Office of none from Tuesday until Saturday, according to the Rule of St. Benedict (530).[15]
In the liturgy of the current Roman Rite Mass, Psalm 128 is used on the feast of the Holy Family, the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time of the year A and the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time of the year B. It is also the traditional psalm for nuptial masses (missa pro votiva sponso and sponsa).
In the Sarum Use, the psalm was also sung by the priest after Psalm 121 at the churching of women.[16]
Heinrich Schütz composed a metred paraphrase of Psalm 128 in German, "Ich heb mein Augen auf zu dir", SWV 233, for the Becker Psalter, published first in 1628.
This psalm was used by Michel-Richard Delalande in 1698 to compose a grand motet (S51) which was played in the royal chapel of Versailles to celebrate the offices. Henry Desmarest composed a grand motet "Beati omnes" (unknown date). Marc-Antoine Charpentier composed in 1680/1681 one "Beati omnes qui timent Dominum" H.178, for 3 voices, 2 treble instruments and continuo.
Salamone Rossi, the 17th-century Jewish-Italian composer who was the first known composer to write choral music for the Jewish liturgy, published three settings of the psalm (for 3, 5, and 6 voices) in his collection Shir Ha'shirim Lishlomo, published in 1622.