Hold Your Head High To Receive Your Blessing

Meditations on Christ in the Psalms

February 3, 2023

Hold Your Head High To Receive Your Blessing

“How joyful are those who fear the Lord—

    all who follow his ways!”

Psalm 128:1

Fear of God’s punishment is a common theme in the Old Testament. The psalmists often remind Israel to “fear the Lord.” In those times, the Israelites had a reward and punishment relationship with God. Since the punishment of God was a very real possibility, it was appropriate for the Jews to fear God. However, God also rewarded those who were faithful; therefore, two seemingly opposing responses of fear and joy can go hand-in-hand.

We do not have to live in fear of God because Jesus has accepted the punishment for our sins. God’s discipline is not fearful because it is flowing from the love of Christ, who died for us while we were yet sinners.

“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love” (1 John 4:18 NRSV).

Psalm 128 models for us a classical form of benediction. A benediction is a blessing, and it is appropriate to hold your head high with your eyes open to receive your blessing. In this psalm, the author begins by announcing the blessing to come. After describing the blessing, he closes by pronouncing the blessing:

“May the Lord continually bless you from Zion.

    May you see Jerusalem prosper as long as you live.

May you live to enjoy your grandchildren.

    May Israel have peace!”

Psalm 128:5-6

My Takeaway:

“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” (2 Corinthians 13:14) 

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2023 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.