Song Deep Dive: Psalm 128 (Blessed)
About Psalm 128
Psalm 128 shows the kind of life the LORD blesses, a life shaped by reverence for God and daily obedience to His ways. The psalm opens with the word Blessed, ashrei in Hebrew, which describes the deep joy that comes from walking closely with God. Although the psalm speaks about marriage, children, and home life, its message reaches every believer because it describes flourishing that comes from living according to Yahweh’s path. Psalm 128 was sung by pilgrims and used as a wedding blessing, reminding God’s people that homes and communities thrive when they are rooted in Him. It invites us to bring our work, our families, and our hopes before the LORD and ask Him to bless them. Like the tree planted by streams of water in Psalm 1, those who delight in His Word become steady and fruitful. Psalm 128 calls us to create a life centered on God, to receive His blessing with gratitude, and to remember that knowing the LORD personally is the greatest blessing of all.
Psalm 128
A song of ascents.
1 Blessed are all who fear the Lord,
who walk in obedience to him.
2 You will eat the fruit of your labor;
blessings and prosperity will be yours.
3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots
around your table.
4 Yes, this will be the blessing
for the man who fears the Lord.
5 May the Lord bless you from Zion;
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
6 May you live to see your children’s children—
peace be on Israel.
Stephen's Thoughts
The goal when writing this song was simplicity. I wanted to build it on four basic chords that repeat again and again, while still allowing subtle changes to create movement and depth. My hope was to give the listener a sense of peace, like water gently flowing, slowly rising, and eventually building to a beautiful crescendo of blessing. I originally planned for my niece Alexa to sing only one section, but she sounded so good that her part was expanded significantly. The three-part a cappella harmony at the end of the song, sung by Alexa, my sister Stephanie, and me, is one of my favorite moments we recorded.
Listen to Psalm 128 (Blessed)
Musical Credits
Lexa Jael (Alexa Wilsey) (Vocals)
Stephen Vesolich (Vocals and Guitar)
Stephanie Wilsey (Vocals)
Lyrics
Blessed are all who fear the LORD,
who walk in His ways.
You will eat the fruit of your labor;
blessing and prosperity will be yours.
Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
within your house.
Your children will be like olive shoots
around your table.
Thus is the man blessed
who fears the LORD.
May the LORD bless you,
may the LORD bless you from Zion,
all the days of your life.
May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem,
may you live to see your children’s children.
Peace be upon you.
May the LORD bless you,
may the LORD bless you from Zion,
all the days of your life.
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