Psalm 128
Your children's children
Read/pray the psalm. (Full text at bottom.)
7 May you see your children’s children!
In the last post we saw the chiastic center of the Songs of Ascents, Psalm 127, and why it fits, despite its apparent focus on a family.
This song continues the same theme, also related to the pilgrimage, because the house/tent is a symbol, iterated up and down the cosmic hierarchy:
God above in the canopy/tent of the heavens
Jerusalem/Zion/temple as a replica, specifically designed to symbolize heaven and earth, but with God actually taking his throne in the Holy of Holies
The family house(hold) imitating and participating in this also
The body of every believer—single or married—as tent/temple dwelling for God’s Holy Spirit, and capable of reproducing spiritually in the lives of others
Fractal!
But while no one is excluded or marginalized, whatever their marital status, the biological family remains basic to the work of God’s kingdom.
So most Christians continue to marry and raise a family, heading together as pilgrims towards the (ultimately geographical!) New Jerusalem.
And everyone, single or married, has the responsibility of contributing to the upbringing of godly, healthy children who follow Jesus on the path (torah).
So…
Bring to mind a particular child whom you know in your Christian community. Do you see their face?
Pray:
Almighty God, Heavenly Father, you have blessed our congregation with the joy and care of children: bless them with your grace, and give us courage, patience, and wisdom as we bring them up in the faith, that they might never know a day apart from you, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Psalm 128 Beati omnes 1 Blessed are all those who fear the Lord * and walk in his ways. 2 For you shall eat of the labors of your hands; * it shall be well with you, and happy you shall be. 3 Your wife shall be as a fruitful vine * upon the walls of your house, 4 Your children like the olive branches * round about your table. 5 Indeed, thus shall the man be blessed * who fears the Lord. 6 May the Lord bless you out of Zion; * may you see Jerusalem in prosperity all your life long. 7 May you see your children’s children, * and may there be peace upon Israel. New Coverdale Psalter