Song of Ascent: Ninth Step

Prayer at the The Western Wall, Old City Jerusalem. Photo by Wil Robinson, 1986

A Song of Ascent. Psalm 128.

1 Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in his ways!

2 You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.

3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table.

4 Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the LORD.

5 The LORD bless you from Zion! May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life!

6 May you see your children’s children!
Peace be upon Israel! 


On the ninth step the Levites sing out that “everyone who fears the L-RD, who walks in His ways” shall be blessed. Everyone. There are rewards for those who respond to G-D. When G-D spoke to Abraham, telling him to leave his home, Abraham was to be the father of a great nation that would be a blessing to all families of the people of Earth.

I will bless those who bless you, But I will curse those who curse you. And through you I will bless all the nations.

Genesis 12:3

“This psalm very probably was written by the same hand as the former, and seems to have some connection with it; as that shows that all things depend on the providence and goodness of God; and that all blessings, particularly children, are the gift of God; this points out the blessings, civil and religious, that belong to good men; and, among the rest, a numerous offspring. According to the Syriac version,

” ‘it is said concerning Zerubbabel, prince of Judah; and the care of the building: and it intimates in it the calling of Gentiles.’

“Many things in it may be applied Christ and his church.”

–Gill’s Exposition.


L-RD Bless, Keep, Shine. . .

Song of Ascent: Eighth Step

The Western Wall, above which once stood The Temple. Photo by WIl Robinson, 1986

A Song of Ascent. Of Solomon. Psalm 127

1 Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.

2 It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.

3 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.

4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth.

5 Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.


“A number of commentators explain this Psalm as a poem David composed upon being informed that his son Shelomo (Solomon), rather than he, would be given the privilege of building the Bet Ha’mikdash [The Temple. In rabbinical literature the temple is Beit HaMikdash, “The Sanctified House”, and only the Temple in Jerusalem is referred to by this name.].” Daily Tehillim Commentary.

Except the Lord build the house — That is, assist and bless those that build it, whether an artificial house, such as the temple, or the royal palace, or any of those numerous structures which Solomon raised; or rather, a natural or civil house, a family or kingdom; they labour in vain that build it — They will never succeed well in their attempts, bring it to perfection, or have any comfort in it. The success of all our undertakings depends so entirely upon God’s blessing, that it is in vain to attempt any thing without it: in vain is it to build houses and cities, or to endeavour (sic. British spelling) to uphold families, or establish states, unless he prosper the design: and the care of the watchman, of the soldier, or magistrate, is to no purpose, unless the divine providence be likewise the guard.” Benson Commentary


L-RD Bless, Keep, Shine. . .