(6) Children's children.--Dr. Perowne illustrates from Virgil: "adspicies . . . natos natorum et qui nascentur ab illis." (Comp. Zechariah 8:4-5.)

And peace . . .--The conjunction spoils the passage. The psalm concludes with the prayer, "Peace upon Israel." (Comp. Psalm 125:5.)

Verse 6. - Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children. This is mentioned as the crowning blessing granted to Job in his second period of happiness (Job 42:16). It is here promised to the faithful generally, And peace upon Israel. This is best taken as a detached clause, like the concluding clause of Psalm 125, and rendered, "Peace be upon Israel."

128:1-6 The blessings of those who fear God. - Only those who are truly holy, are truly happy. In vain do we pretend to be of those that fear God, if we do not make conscience of keeping stedfastly to his ways. Blessed is every one that fears the Lord; whether he be high or low, rich or poor in the world. If thou fear him and walk in his ways, all shall be well with thee while thou livest, better when thou diest, best of all in eternity. By the blessing of God, the godly shall get an honest livelihood. Here is a double promise; they shall have something to do, for an idle life is a miserable, uncomfortable life, and shall have health and strength, and power of mind to do it. They shall not be forced to live upon the labours of other people. It is as much a mercy as a duty, with quietness to work and eat our own bread. They and theirs shall enjoy what they get. Such as fear the Lord and walk in his ways, are the only happy persons, whatever their station in life may be. They shall have abundant comfort in their family relations. And they shall have all the good things God has promised, and which they pray for. A good man can have little comfort in seeing his children's children, unless he sees peace upon Israel. Every true believer rejoices in the prosperity of the church. Hereafter we shall see greater things, with the everlasting peace and rest that remain for the Israel of God.Yea, thou shall see thy children's children,.... A numerous race of descendants from him, which are the crown and glory of old men, Proverbs 17:6; this is also true of Christ's spiritual children by his church in successive ages, Isaiah 59:21;

and peace upon Israel: all kind of prosperity, temporal and spiritual; peace, and abundance of it; as will be in the latter day, in the spiritual reign of Christ, Psalm 72:8. It may be considered as a wish or prayer, with which the psalm is concluded; let "peace be upon Israel" (a), as in Psalm 125:5; see Galatians 6:16.

(a) "pax sit super Israele", Cocceius; so Gejerus.