1422. I will bless those who bless you means that all happiness belongs to those who acknowledge the Lord in their hearts. This can be seen from the symbolism of a blessing as involving absolutely all gifts from the Lord, both those that are good and those that are true, and accordingly heavenly, spiritual, earthly, worldly, and personal benefits. And because a blessing in a comprehensive sense encompasses all those gifts, you can see what it symbolizes in each instance from the story line [at Genesis 12:3], since the symbolism depends on context. It stands to reason, then, that "I will bless those who bless you" means that all happiness belongs to those who acknowledge the Lord in their hearts, since in an inner sense the discussion here centers on the Lord, as noted [§§1401-1402].
[2] Among the ancients, blessing Jehovah (the Lord) was a customary way of speaking, as the Word reveals. In David, for example:
In your assemblies, bless God; [bless] the Lord from the fountain of Israel. (Psalms 68:26)
In the same author:
Sing to Jehovah; bless his name! Spread the good news of his salvation from day to day! (Psalms 96:2)
In Daniel:
In a vision at night, the secret was revealed. So Daniel blessed the God of the heavens and said, "A blessing on the name of God himself from age to age, because wisdom and might are his." (Daniel 2:19-20)
We also read of Zechariah and Simeon that they blessed God (Luke 1:64; 2:28). In these passages it is clear what blessing the Lord is: singing to him, spreading the good news of his salvation, proclaiming his wisdom and might, and so confessing and acknowledging the Lord with all our heart. People who do this cannot help being blessed by the Lord; that is, they cannot help receiving gifts that are blessings, or in other words, heavenly, spiritual, earthly, worldly, and personal good. These things are good, and produce happiness, when they come in this order.
[3] As it was common for people to speak in terms of blessing Jehovah (the Lord) or being blessed by him, it was also a common turn of speech to say, "A blessing on Jehovah." In David, for instance:
A blessing on Jehovah, because he has heard the voice of my prayers. (Psalms 28:6)
In the same author:
A blessing on Jehovah, because he has made his mercy to me extraordinary. (Psalms 31:21)
In the same author:
A blessing on God, who has not cast my prayers aside or cast his mercy away from me. (Psalms 66:20)
In the same author:
A blessing on Jehovah God, the God of Israel, working miracles alone. And a blessing on his glorious name forever; and with his glory all the earth will be filled. (Psalms 72:18-19)
In the same author:
A blessing on you, Jehovah; teach me your statutes. (Psalms 119:12)
In the same author:
A blessing on Jehovah, my rock, teaching my hands. (Psalms 144:1)
In Luke:
Zechariah, filled with the holy spirit, prophesied, saying, "A blessing on the God of Israel, because he has visited his people and secured their deliverance." (Luke 1:67-68)
