Psalm 128 sets forth some ideals for what a Christian home can look like. There are promises given with a condition: that a man should fear and honor the LORD by walking in His ways. Good marriages and families do not happen by accident or through carelessness. Like building a fire while it is raining, the environment of this world is hostile to godly virtues and Christian principles. Though we are to be diligent and faithful, please remember that we can only fulfill these conditions by the grace of God (John 3:27; 15:4-5; Philippians 1:9-11; 4:13). The ideals found in Scripture are not given to overwhelm you, but to direct you, giving you a goal for your heart to follow (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 sometimes are physically removed from the house, but their heart and mind are still 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. If a wife seems to lack the qualities that Scripture teaches, it is the husband's responsibility to check out his own life. His own personal godliness can bless the wife and invoke Divine help. Of course, the wife is also personally responsible to God for her life.
•  See Proverbs 18:22; 31:10-12, 28-31

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

•  Women cannot match the perfection 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.

>  Vs. 3 – Speaking God's Word (Proverbs 1:8; 6:20).
>  Vs. 4-7 – "Abide in me" implies strong personal relationships. Wives, mothers, anyone: Are you abiding in Christ? You can do nothing without Him (John 15:4-5).