Fruits of our labour

Psalm 128 and 129:  Psalm 128 uses a familiar image: being fruitful. This wisdom psalm  says those who walk in the way of the Lord will be blessed by eating the fruit of their labour. This is a concrete blessing: be faithful and your crops will prosper. The image goes on to metaphorical results of blessing: wives are compared to a fruitful vine, and children are like olive shoots, blessing the man who fears God. (v. 3,4). Again, an image particular to the ANE, a place where grapes and olives grow, but also a place and time where wives and children are viewed as property. The last two verses seem like a refrain lifted from somewhere else, invoking Zion, Jerusalem and future generations in on go: "The Lord bless you from Zion. May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life. May you see your children's children. Peace be upon Israel!"