Today, everyone is encouraged to be special and individual. The world's message is to fulfill yourself and get a great education, a great career, make lots of money and live large. The emphasis is not on seeing ourselves as a working part of a family unit. There may be a few images of parents with children. But it is all just assumed that if you have the education, and make the money, the children will all turn out fine. Our government is now promoting the institutionalizing of our children by age three. With the moral, social, and economic calamities that are taking place in society, the idea of children out of the house by three years old is a welcome relief to too many. The picture we see in Psalm 128 is far different from the model being promoted in today's society.

• See a hard-working godly man who follows the guidance of Scripture - Psalm 128:1-2.
  • He gets married first, then has children.
  • He faithfully provides for his wife and children.


• See a hard-working godly woman who devotes herself to her home, husband, and children - Psalm 128:3.
  • She gets married first and then pursues becoming a mother.
  • She is described as a fruitful vine: rooted, stable, and productive.


• See children who are nurtured in the home - Psalm 128:3.
  • They are planted in the safe environment of a godly home.
  • They are described as vigorous young olive trees, prospering with the loving care of a father and mother.


• See a legacy of children who will go on to marry and have children of their own - Psalm 128:6.


• See a benefit to the society / nation that has strong families - Psalm 128:5-6.

Good marriages and families do not happen by accident, any more than a lovely vineyard and orchard just pop up on their own and take care of themselves (Proverbs 24:30-34). Like building a fire while it is raining, the environment of this world is hostile to godly virtues and Christian principles. This is affecting marriages, families, and churches. This requires deliberate Biblically structured living. This requires Christians in complete armor - not pajamas! Though we are to be diligent and faithful, please remember that we can only fulfill these conditions by the grace of God (Zechariah 4:6; John 3:27; 15:4-5; Philippians 1:9-11; 4:13; II Timothy 2:1-7). The ideals found in Scripture are not given to overwhelm you, but to direct you, giving you a goal for your heart to follow. See Psalm 119:9-11, 105, 130, 133).

Psalm 128:3 describes the godly wife and mother as a fruitful vine. Let's examine those qualities more carefully.

Planted - She is always associated with the home.

• Her nature is to nurture a family.
• Modern mothers may be physically removed from the house, but their heart and mind should still be firmly planted in the affairs of the family.
• She is industrious and seeks ways to benefit the family (Proverbs 31:13-27).

Fruitful - She is a productive person.

• As a wife, her character and spirit are fulfilling to a husband.
• She comforts him and inspires him to be all that he can be.
• She is a divinely appointed helper (Genesis 2:18-24).
• She turns a house into a home, giving it personality. She makes it a safe and desirable haven: beautiful and restful.
• She brings forth and nurtures children. They, like olive plants, are developed into productive people with character.

A Blessing of the LORD - Marriage and motherhood are gifts, not to be handled carelessly.

• See Psalm 128:1,4. The wife and mother of children is a blessing from God. We must value and take care of our blessings. The wife who seems to be lacking or struggling needs a husband who will pray for her and minister to her. The husband should first examine himself and not become a critic. His influence can either bless her or discourage her. Still, wives are also personally responsible to God for themselves.
• See Proverbs 18:22; 31:10-12, 28-31 cp. Ephesians 5:18-33.

Christ-like - She fulfills a type of Christ, who is called "The Vine."

• Women cannot match the perfections of Christ, but they can follow His pattern.
• In John 15:1-2 fruitfulness is based on a relationship with The Heavenly Father. He manages the vine. The fruit of the vine is for the glory of The Father (John 15:8).
• In John 15:3-7 Fruitfulness comes with building strong relationships.
• John 15:3,7 - As Christ develops fruitfulness in His branches (true believers), So, a mother needs to be a communicator of God's Word (Proverbs 1:8; 6:20) and have strong relationships with her children (as well as her husband).

"Abide in me" implies strong personal relationships for us all. Wives, mothers, anyone: Are you abiding in Christ? You can do nothing without Him (John 15:4-5).