Revealing structure - 22 June 2010 |
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Here’s a possible outline of Psalm 128:
A (v. 1) Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in his ways!
B (v. 2a) You shall eat the fruit of the labour of your hands;
C (v. 2b) you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.
C’ (v. 3a) Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house;
B’ (v. 3b) your children will be like olive shoots around your table.
A’ (v. 4) Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the LORD.
D (v. 5a) The LORD bless you from Zion!
E (v. 5b) May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
F (v. 6c) all the days of your life!
E’ (v. 6) May you see your children’s children!
D’ (v. 6b) Peace be upon Israel!
Notice the shift from 3rd person (vv. 1-4) to 2nd person (vv. 5-6).
Notice also a couple of the correspondences in the chiasms:
- The fruit of the labour of your hands are the children around your table (B).
- The blessing of the LORD is your fruitful wife (C).
- We see the prosperity of Jerusalem as the LORD preserves our children’s children (E).
- The final blessing is peace for God’s people (F).
With thanks to Steve Hayhow. Click here to listen to the sermon.
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Posted by Steve Jeffery · Topics: Bible, Minister's Blog