Psalm 128:1-6 Blessed is every one that fears the LORD; that walks in his ways.… Here we have — I. Piety in PRINCIPLE. The love to God that constitutes piety is characterized by two things: — 1. Predominancy. Most men have a kind of love for the Supreme, that flows through them with other natural emotions, but attains no ascendancy over other sentiments, no control over the other faculties. The love to God that constitutes piety must be the controlling disposition. 2. Permanency. Perhaps, in most minds, the sentiment of love to God, of gratitude, adoration, and even of reverence, arises at times: especially when moving amidst the grand and beautiful in nature, or experiencing the enjoyment of some special blessings. But this sentiment, to become piety, must be crystallized, and settled as a rock. It is the embryo of all excellence in all worlds. It is a seed out of which grows all that is beautiful and fruitful in the Eden of God. II. Piety in DEVELOPMENT. How is this principle rightly developed? Not in mere songs and hymns, and prayers, and ceremonies, but in conduct. "That walketh in His ways." "His ways," the ways of truth, honesty, purity, and holy love. True piety is not a dormant element sleeping in the soul, like grain buried under the mountains, it struggles into form, and takes action, it walks, and its walk is onward and upward. III. Piety in BLESSEDNESS. (David Thomas, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: {A Song of degrees.} Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.WEB: Blessed is everyone who fears Yahweh, who walks in his ways. |
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