Principles or Promises?

 Read Psalm 128. 

Singing songs that encourage one another in our faith is a Biblical part of worship.  This psalm would have spurred on the travelers toward Jerusalem for the feast days. 

These expressions remind us again of the difference between principles and promises.  A principle may be defined as a general rule to follow.  A promise is a vow to be fulfilled.  Confusing those two have caused many to fall into false doctrines while quoting the Bible.  If all these statements were promises of God then every believer would be wealthy and healthy.  Every believing woman would bear many children.  But such things were not true even of Jesus, the Apostles, or countless godly men and women throughout time. 

Instead, these are principles to live by.  They are ideals for which we work for, pray for, and long to see.  But the results truly belong to God.  Not all the results of godly living are material, nor are all the results seen in this life.  Indeed, the best results and rewards are those that are eternal and await us in heaven. 

1. The Principles of Blessings.  (vv.1-4)

Note the qualification: This is for "those who fear the LORD and walk in his ways," our prayer is that--

-our work would be profitable

-our family would be fruitful 

2. The Prayer for Blessings. (vv.5-6)

In the context of their travel to the feast days, Jerusalem was the center for the worship of God.  So, this was not only a prayer for governmental or civic blessing but spiritual as well.

-prosperity for the city

-peace for the nation