Psalm 128:3 (KJV)

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Bible Commentary

Psalm 128:3 is a Bible verse that describes the effects on a family when the man of the house fears the Lord.

God created the family with a specific order. The husband is to be the head of the wife as Christ is to the church (Ephesians 5:23). The wife is to reverence her husband, just as we are to reverence Christ (Ephesians 5:33).

Psalm 128:1-2 says,

“Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways.

² For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.”

The first order of business for all of us, however, is to fear the Lord. When our personal relationship with Christ is in order by keeping Him first in our hearts, our other relationships will flourish (Deuteronomy 6:5).

This is what the Psalmist is teaching in Psalm 128:3 when he says,

“Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.”

Let’s get to the meat. Look how he describes a wife who fears the Lord. She is like a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house. If you research the Hebrew meanings of the word “side” you’ll see: flank, rear or recess, border, coast, be soft.

At His Side

As wives, we are at the side of our husband. “Flank” is defined as: to be situated at the side of. We go through life as partners, hand-in-hand with Christ and with one another.

Ladies, don’t be offended when you see “rear or recess.” Our husband is the leader of our home as Christ is the leader of the church. We are in a place of protection at his side and behind him as we journey through life together.

We might grasp for leadership or control, but is that really where we feel safe? Look again at the definition above – “be soft”.

“House” in Hebrew means: family. We are the sides, the flank of the house—the family. When we become mothers, the definitions of “border” and “coast” from above make a lot of sense.

In this role, we are like a fruitful vine. Looking up “vine” in Webster’s Dictionary, it says this: a plant whose stem requires support and which climbs by tendrils or twining.

Note the Psalmist didn’t say she would be like a vine, but a fruitful vine.

As wives and mothers, we can do the hard work of managing our households, but one day find ourselves wondering, “What am I doing all of this for? Is there really a purpose for me?”

We and our Work Matter

As someone who fears the Lord, we are like a fruitful vine. We (and our work) bear fruit in the kingdom of God. “Fruit” in the Hebrew means: bear fruit, make grow, increase.

Don’t listen to the lies of the devil. He (and the world) can attack you with the deception that your role as wife and/or mother is not valuable. That’s a lie. Don’t believe it, and don’t receive it.

Instead, we must stand firm on the rock of the truth—Jesus Christ as our Lord and His Word that we are so valuable and so loved that He died for us. We all have questions and doubts at times, but let’s not linger there. When we turn to Christ for the truth, He sets us free (John 8:32).

The higher we regard our husband and his work, the more enriched we feel in our role as a wife. Be careful not to let resentment toward his work creep into your heart. That will only steal the intimacy between you and keep you from being a real team.

Practice finding things about him and his work you are thankful for. Humility brings honor (1 Peter 5:6). We have the support we need (just like a vine that grows) when we humble ourselves in our attitude toward our husband.

Ladies, this is fear of the Lord.

Stop Waiting!

The last part of Psalm 128:3 says our children will flourish like olive plants around about our table. Olive oil was a great commodity and very valuable back in Bible days. It was used for a great many things, and it still is today.

The Hebrew meaning for “olive” is: illuminating oil. The Psalmist is saying for those who fear the Lord, their children will be highly valued. They have a great purpose.

Be careful not to be fooled by the devil’s subtle lie that “this might be true one day,” which makes us believe it is not true right now. NO!

If the Lord says it is so, it is so right now. We might not recognize the great work He is doing in them and through them, but take Him at His Word—He is.

Choose to believe it is true, and pray for eyes to see what He is doing. When He reveals the enormity of His plan and work in them, you’ll fall on your knees with thanksgiving and humility.

Don’t go through life waiting for God’s promised gifts when they’re all around you, right in front of you and within you.

May God remove our blindness to His great mercy and the power of His Holy Spirit.

Study the Bible verse of Psalm 128:3 to know and receive the blessings of your role in family.