Bible Verses About Blessings

Barnes explains that spiritual blessings are "not merely external privileges" but apply to "true Christians," including "Pardon, peace, redemption, adoption, the earnest of the Spirit." Matthew Henry emphasizes: "Spiritual and heavenly blessings are the best blessings; with which we cannot be miserable, and without which we cannot but be so." These blessings involve being "chosen to happiness" and "sanctified by the Holy Spirit." Gill notes that spiritual blessings are "solid, substantial, and lasting," encompassing "justification, peace, pardon, adoption, sanctification, and eternal life." MacLaren teaches that spiritual blessings come "by the Divine Spirit" who communicates "the most precious things of God," noting these blessings are "comprehensive" and cover "all possible necessities and longings" (BibleHub Commentaries).

Barnes notes that the blessing is "conferred on Israel collectively" and uses singular number throughout. Matthew Henry emphasizes that the blessing represents "the almighty protection of God" and highlights the threefold repetition of "Jehovah" as potentially representing the Trinity. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown explains that the three-part blessing corresponds to "the respective offices of the Father, to 'bless and keep us'; of the Son, to be 'gracious to us'; and of the Holy Ghost, to 'give us peace'." Gill interprets the blessing as involving all three persons of the Trinity - "Jehovah the Father blesses with spiritual blessings," "Jehovah the Son blesses with redeeming grace," and "Jehovah the Spirit blesses as a spirit of regeneration." Keil and Delitzsch note that the threefold blessing "expressed in the most unconditional manner the thought, that God would bestow upon His congregation the whole fulness of the blessing enfolded in His Divine Being" (BibleHub Commentaries).

Barnes declares: "God is the author of all good. Every thing that is good on the earth we are to trace to him." Matthew Henry teaches that God's gifts are meant to "draw out our graces" and emphasizes that God has "no pleasure in the death of men" and is not the source of sin. Gill distinguishes between different types of gifts: "whether of nature, providence, or grace," highlighting that gifts are "not from a man's self, from the creature, or from below, but from heaven." Bengel differentiates between "δόσις" (initial act of giving) and "δώρημα" (perfected gift), noting that "No evil things come from above, but only things good and perfect." The Cambridge Bible suggests the gifts represent "beyond all temporal blessings... the greater gifts of righteousness and peace and joy" (BibleHub Commentaries).

Barnes explains: "The word rendered 'benefits' means properly an act, work, doing... The call here on his soul is not to forget these divine dealings." Matthew Henry observes: "Man is so apt to 'forget,' that he requires continual exhortation not to do so." Gill notes that people are "very apt to forget" God's benefits, which are "new every morning" and "innumerable." He notes God has provided ways to help people remember, like "an ordinance... to commemorate a principal blessing." Ellicott offers a profound insight that "God's acts are all benefits," suggesting every divine action carries inherent goodness (BibleHub Commentaries).

Barnes explains that being "poor in spirit" means "to have a humble opinion of ourselves," involving being "sensible that we are sinners, and have no righteousness of our own." Such people are happy because "there is more real enjoyment in thinking of ourselves as we are, than in being filled with pride and vanity." Matthew Henry teaches that the "poor in spirit" are those who "bring their minds to their condition," who "see their want, bewail their guilt, and thirst after a Redeemer." Gill states that being "poor in spirit" means acknowledging spiritual poverty - people who "see their poverty and want," "freely acknowledge it," and "bewail it," who "entertain low and mean thoughts of themselves" and "seek after the true riches, both of grace and glory." Benson describes these as people "sensible of their spiritual poverty," who "think meanly of themselves" and are "teachable, submissive, resigned, patient, contented" (BibleHub Commentaries).

Barnes explains "Pure in heart" means having "minds, motives, and principles" that are pure, seeking holiness internally, not just external correctness. Matthew Henry teaches that the pure in heart are those "whose hearts are purified by faith" and cleansed from "vain thoughts, earthly desires, and corrupt passions." Gill describes the pure in heart as those who, though not entirely free from sin, are "justified from all sin" and have hearts "sprinkled with the blood of Jesus." Benson identifies them as people "purified from pride, self-will, discontent, impatience, anger, malice, envy, covetousness" who serve God with "a single eye and an undivided heart." Regarding "seeing God," commentators interpret this as both a spiritual vision of God in this life and a literal, direct vision of God in the afterlife, with purity of heart enabling deeper spiritual perception and ultimate communion with God (BibleHub Commentaries).

Barnes notes that the language "rises to the sublimest strains" regarding blessings and promises. Matthew Henry explains that blessings are "put before the curses" because "God is slow to anger, but swift to show mercy." Benson teaches that the blessings "shall overtake thee" and be "thrown into thy lap by special kindness." Gill emphasizes that blessings will come "freely and plentifully, and beyond their expectations and deserts." Ellicott explains that "Overtake" means blessings will "come home to thee" and "impress the heart with the thought of God's love" even unexpectedly. Poole contrasts that these are "blessings which others greedily follow after, and ofttimes never overtake" but which will be given to the obedient (BibleHub Commentaries).

Barnes declares: "The beginning of all blessings to mankind is the favor or mercy of God. There is no higher blessing than his favor." Matthew Henry teaches: "All our happiness comes from God's mercy; therefore the first thing prayed for is, God be merciful to us, and pardon our sins." Gill describes the verse as a prayer for "God's unmerited mercy, of his rich grace and free favour" to bless people with divine gifts. The Treasury of David offers a particularly insightful summary: "Mercy is a foundation attribute in our salvation. The best saints and the worst sinners may unite in this petition" (BibleHub Commentaries).