Psalms 128:2
For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.
Original Language Analysis
יְגִ֣יעַ
the labour
H3018
יְגִ֣יעַ
the labour
Strong's:
H3018
Word #:
1 of 7
toil; hence, a work, produce, property (as the result of labor)
כַּ֭פֶּיךָ
of thine hands
H3709
כַּ֭פֶּיךָ
of thine hands
Strong's:
H3709
Word #:
2 of 7
the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
3 of 7
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אַ֝שְׁרֶ֗יךָ
happy
H835
אַ֝שְׁרֶ֗יךָ
happy
Strong's:
H835
Word #:
5 of 7
happiness; only in masculine plural construction as interjection, how happy!
Cross References
Isaiah 3:10Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.Isaiah 62:8The LORD hath sworn by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength, Surely I will no more give thy corn to be meat for thine enemies; and the sons of the stranger shall not drink thy wine, for the which thou hast laboured:Deuteronomy 28:4Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.Deuteronomy 28:11And the LORD shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers to give thee.1 Corinthians 15:58Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.Ecclesiastes 8:12Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him:Isaiah 65:13Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry: behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty: behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed:Jeremiah 22:15Shalt thou reign, because thou closest thyself in cedar? did not thy father eat and drink, and do judgment and justice, and then it was well with him?Ephesians 6:3That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.Deuteronomy 28:51And he shall eat the fruit of thy cattle, and the fruit of thy land, until thou be destroyed: which also shall not leave thee either corn, wine, or oil, or the increase of thy kine, or flocks of thy sheep, until he have destroyed thee.
Historical Context
In an agricultural economy, eating the fruit of one's labor wasn't automatic - drought, invasion, oppression, or disease could prevent it. The covenant promised blessing on work for those who obeyed (Deuteronomy 28:11-12), while cursing meant laboring without enjoying results (Deuteronomy 28:30-33). This verse reflects covenant theology where righteousness produces practical blessing.
Questions for Reflection
- How does eating 'the labour of thine hands' differ from wealth obtained through inheritance, oppression, or chance?
- What relationship exists between honest work, God's blessing, and enjoying results?
- How do we reconcile this promise with believers who work hard but experience poverty or loss?
- What does 'it shall be well with thee' mean when Christians face persecution or hardship?
- How does this verse guard against both laziness (not laboring) and anxiety (not trusting God to bless labor)?
Analysis & Commentary
The nature of blessing is specified: 'For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.' The word 'for' explains the blessing announced in verse 1. The phrase 'eat the labour of thine hands' promises that honest work will produce fruit one can enjoy. This blessing includes both productive labor and ability to enjoy its results - neither is guaranteed apart from God's favor. Some work hard but never enjoy fruit (Ecclesiastes 6:2); others eat what others labored for (conquest, oppression). The promise is that God-fearers will benefit from their own work. The parallel phrases 'happy shalt thou be' and 'it shall be well with thee' emphasize comprehensive well-being - emotional satisfaction (happiness) and circumstantial blessing (things going well). This verse describes material, vocational, and personal flourishing as results of fearing God.