Psa 128:5-6 | NETfull | STEP | May the Lord bless you from Zion, that you might see Jerusalem prosper all the days of your life,

Psalms 128:5-6

5 May the Lord bless you ^{▼▼ The prefixed verbal form is understood as a jussive of prayer (note the imperatives that are subordinated to this clause in vv. 5b–6a). Having described the blessings that typically come to the godly, the psalmist concludes by praying that this ideal may become reality for the representative godly man being addressed.} from Zion,
that you might see ^{▼▼ The imperative with prefixed vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the preceding jussive.} Jerusalem ^{▼▼ For location see Map5-B1; Map6-F3; Map7-E2; Map8-F2; Map10-B3; Journey of Paul map 1-F4; Journey of Paul map 2-F4; Journey of Paul map 3-F4; Journey of Paul map 4-F4.} prosper
all the days of your life,
and that you might see ^{▼▼ The imperative with prefixed vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the jussive in v. 5a.} your grandchildren. ^{▼▼ Heb “sons to your sons.”}
May Israel experience peace! ^{▼▼ Heb “peace [be] upon Israel.” The statement is understood as a prayer (see Ps 125:5).}

Psalm 129

^{▼▼ Psalm 129. Israel affirms God’s justice and asks him to destroy the enemies of Zion.}

A song of ascents.

6 ^{▼▼ The precise significance of this title, which appears in Pss 120–134, is unclear. Perhaps worshipers recited these psalms when they ascended the road to Jerusalem to celebrate annual religious festivals. For a discussion of their background see L. C. Allen, Psalms 101–150 (WBC), 219-21.}