Homilist Psalm 128:1-6 Blessed is every one that fears the LORD; that walks in his ways.… The subject is the blessed tendency of true piety, and the truly pious man is described as one that "feareth the Lord" and "walketh in His ways." I. Its tendency is to make BUSINESS PROSPEROUS (ver. 2). This stands in splendid contrast to the terrible threat which Moses addressed to the Israelites of old, should they break God's law (Exodus 25:35; Deuteronomy 18:40). II. Its tendency is to make THE FAMILY HAPPY (ver. 3). Ungodly families are stars wandering from their orbits, but a truly pious family, small though it be, is an orb rolling round the eternal Sun of Righteousness, and from it deriving its life, its light, and its harmony. III. Its tendency is to make THE COUNTRY BLESSED (vers. 4, 5). "Righteousness exalteth a nation." 1. In material wealth. Truth, honesty, integrity, in a people; are the best guarantees of commercial advancement. Credit is the best capital in the business of a nation as well as in the business of an individual, and credit is built on righteous principles. 2. In social enjoyments. According as the principles of veracity, uprightness, and honour, reign in society, will be the freeness, the heartiness, and the enjoyment of social intercourse. 3. In moral power. The true majesty of a kingdom lies in its moral virtues. IV. Its tendency is to make THE LIFE LONG (ver. 5). There should be a full stop after the word "Children," and the word "and" is not in the original. Genuine piety tends to long life. 1. Long life depends upon obedience be the laws of our constitution, physical, mental, and moral laws. 2. In order to obey the laws of our constitution, those laws must be understood. 3. In order to understand those laws, man must study them. They will not come to him by intuition, inspiration, or revelation. He must study them, study nature. 4. In order to study them effectively he must have supreme sympathy with their Author. (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: {A Song of degrees.} Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.WEB: Blessed is everyone who fears Yahweh, who walks in his ways. |
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