Ewald Schmidt

A song of ascents. “Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him. You will eat the fruit of your labour; blessings and prosperity will be yours.” Psalm 128-2 (NIV)

People might have different reasons as to why they decide to go on a pilgrimage. Everybody wants to be happy, each one wants to experience God’s blessings in his/her journey of life. When pilgrims in biblical times departed on their pilgrimage, the priests would use this song to bless them: may you discover that God is travelling with you every step of the way.

This song begins with a beatitude: blessed is the person who walks with God. This blessing is meant for all believers who know how dependent they are on God. When it is your desire to honour God in everything you do, your labour will be blessed. You will experience that all you do in obedience to God, will make a difference in your life, and those around you. A life filled with meaning brings happiness. When you are committed to following the Lord, and you are allowing his Spirit to transform you according to his image, you will also see his blessing in all your relationships, especially marriage. In Old Testament times the blessing of God was seen in a long life, and in having lots of children.

This song was also sung as a blessing when the pilgrims reached their destination. May the blessing of the Lord be with you from Zion. The prosperity of Jerusalem is a way to say: may the destination of your journey be one of peace, may there be a good future waiting for you.

How do we read this psalm today? Many of God’s children live in challenging times at the moment. We could easily ask, “But where is God’s blessing today?” Some of God’s children might experience this stage of their journey as going through a desert, not nearly the prosperity of Jerusalem in sight at the moment. But this song wants to encourage us: God is leading the way. The blessings we need in life do not always come in the form of money and possessions. Even in challenging times God is leading us, through the desert, to our destiny. This psalm is a prayer for you who desire to serve the Lord: may he bless you that you may experience the fruit of your labour. May you experience joy and happiness in these times. May God give you all the opportunities you need to follow him gladly. May your relationships bear witness to the goodness and mercy of God.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, it is man’s deepest desire to be truly happy. Help us to discover the happiness in life when we discover you walking alongside us on our journey of life. Please bless your children with the promises in this song. May your children see the fruit of their labour. May they be truly happy, and prosperous in everything they attempt to honour you. We pray it especially for those believers who are in difficult times today. Lead them back to happiness through this. Amen