Psalm 128


Psalm 128 is the 128th psalm of the Book of Psalms in the Old Testament. It is one of fifteen psalms that begin with the words "A song of ascents". It contains only six verses, and discusses the blessed state of those who follow Yahweh. Its opening words in the King James Version are "Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways". In the Greek Septuagint version of the bible, and in its Latin translation in the Vulgate, this psalm is Psalm 127 in a slightly different numbering system.
Written anonymously, it likely dates to the post-exilic period.
The Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary describes as a "virtual commentary on this psalm".
The psalm ends with a prayer for peace upon Israel. This is best taken as a "detached clause", like the concluding clause of Psalm 125, according to the Pulpit Commentary.

Uses

Judaism

In traditional Jewish practice, this psalm is recited following Mincha between Sukkot and Shabbat Hagadol.It is also recited prior to Aleinu during Motzei Shabbat Maariv, and among the prayers of the Bedtime Shema. Its second verse is found in Pirkei Avot Chapter 4, no. 1 and Chapter 6, no. 4.

Catholicism

Traditionally, since the Middle Ages, this psalm has been recited within the Office of none from Tuesday until Saturday, according to the Rule of St. Benedict.
In the liturgy of the current Mass, Psalm 128 is used on the feast of the Holy Family, the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time of the year A and the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time of the year B. It is also the traditional psalm for wedding masses.

Music

This psalm was used by Michel-Richard Delalande in 1698 to compose a grand motet which was played in the royal chapel of Versailles to celebrate the offices.
Salamone Rossi, the 17th-century Jewish-Italian composer who was the first known composer to write choral music for the Jewish liturgy, published three settings of the psalm in his collection Shir Ha'shirim Lishlomo, published in 1622.