Psalms 128:5

Authorized King James Version

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The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.

Original Language Analysis

יְבָרֶכְךָ֥ shall bless H1288
יְבָרֶכְךָ֥ shall bless
Strong's: H1288
Word #: 1 of 9
to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as
יְהוָ֗ה The LORD H3068
יְהוָ֗ה The LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 2 of 9
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
מִצִּ֫יּ֥וֹן thee out of Zion H6726
מִצִּ֫יּ֥וֹן thee out of Zion
Strong's: H6726
Word #: 3 of 9
tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of jerusalem
וּ֭רְאֵה and thou shalt see H7200
וּ֭רְאֵה and thou shalt see
Strong's: H7200
Word #: 4 of 9
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
בְּט֣וּב the good H2898
בְּט֣וּב the good
Strong's: H2898
Word #: 5 of 9
good (as a noun), in the widest sense, especially goodness (superlative concretely, the best), beauty, gladness, welfare
יְרוּשָׁלִָ֑ם of Jerusalem H3389
יְרוּשָׁלִָ֑ם of Jerusalem
Strong's: H3389
Word #: 6 of 9
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
כֹּ֝֗ל H3605
כֹּ֝֗ל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 7 of 9
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יְמֵ֣י all the days H3117
יְמֵ֣י all the days
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 8 of 9
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
חַיֶּֽיךָ׃ of thy life H2416
חַיֶּֽיךָ׃ of thy life
Strong's: H2416
Word #: 9 of 9
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

Analysis & Commentary

The blessing extends beyond personal to communal: 'The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.' The phrase 'out of Zion' connects personal blessing to God's presence in the temple/Jerusalem. Zion represents where God dwells among His people; blessing flows from God's presence and covenant relationship. Personal flourishing (vv. 2-3) is inseparable from participation in covenant community. The promise 'thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem' means witnessing the holy city's prosperity, peace, and thriving. The individual's welfare is bound to the community's welfare. The temporal phrase 'all the days of thy life' extends blessing across the entire lifespan - not momentary but sustained throughout one's years. This verse prevents individualism by linking personal blessing to corporate health.

Historical Context

Jerusalem/Zion was Israel's religious and political center - God's dwelling place and the nation's capital. Individual Israelites' prosperity depended partly on national stability, temple worship continuity, and covenant community health. The exile demonstrated how individual and corporate fortunes were intertwined. For pilgrims singing this psalm, seeing Jerusalem's good was tangible evidence of God's blessing.

Questions for Reflection