A song of ascents. Of Solomon.
1 Unless the Lord builds the house,
the builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the guards stand watch in vain.
2 In vain you rise early
and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat—
for he grants sleep to hose he loves.
3 Children are a heritage from the Lord,
offspring a reward from him.
4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are children born in one’s youth.
5 Blessed is the man
whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their opponents in court.
Sermon on Psalm 127
Psalm 127 is a Wisdom Psalm
Wisdom Psalms teach practical lessons about life, righteousness, and following God’s law.
List of some of the Wisdom Psalms
- Psalm 1 — The blessed life of the righteous vs. the fate of the wicked.
- Psalm 19 — God’s law as perfect wisdom and guidance.
- Psalm 32 — Blessings of forgiveness and wise living.
- Psalm 34 — Fear of the Lord brings blessings.
- Psalm 37 — Trusting God and avoiding envy of the wicked.
- Psalm 49 — The futility of trusting in riches and worldly success.
- Psalm 73 — Reflection on the prosperity of the wicked and God’s ultimate justice.
- Psalm 90 — Human mortality and seeking wisdom in light of God’s eternity.
- Psalm 112 — The blessings of the righteous.
- Psalm 119 — Wisdom in God’s law and commandments.
- Psalm 128 — Blessings of fearing the Lord and walking in His ways.
- Psalm 133 — Wisdom in unity and community blessings.
Psalm 127 — Focuses on the futility of labor without God’s blessing.
In the final chapter of Ecclesiastes, Solomon writes,
8 “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Everything is meaningless!…
13 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil. Ecclesiastes 12:8;13-14
- An Undivided Life
- “Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” Psalm 86:11
- “Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.” James 1:8
- “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” Deuteronomy 6:5
John Stott
“The Christian life is not a part-time commitment; it’s not divided into sacred and secular. We are called to serve God with an undivided heart.”
- On our journey towards God, we can’t just follow Him on Sundays. God wants control over every area of our lives– our homes, our families, our church, and our work.
- Abraham Kuyper “There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry: ‘Mine!’”
He goes on and says:
“Whatever man may stand, whatever he may do, to whatever he may apply his hand , in agriculture, in commerce, and in industry, or his mind, in the world of art and science, he is, in whatever it may be, constantly standing before the face of God.” ~ Abraham Kuyper
C.S. Lewis
- “A Christian’s spiritual life is not a separate compartment from his work. Everything a Christian does, including work, is part of their spiritual journey.”
1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV):
“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
Q: What does Psalm 127, these verses, and these quotes teach us about work?
Matthew 7:24-27
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.
27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
Q: How Does Jesus’ words connect with Psalm 127?
Prayer
Guided prayer:
Without You, we can do no good things. We offer our houses, our towns, our labor to You, Lord, for unless You build it, guard it, and provide it, we have nothing. Help us to rest in You. We release our anxious toil to You.
[Open palms]
[Quiet prayers of releasing]
[Prayers for specific jobs we have. Specific tasks we have to do. Specific things we’re working on. Names of towns we live in.]Thank You for children—ours or others. Bless the little ones who You call to come to You, and bless those who watch over them. Strengthen families of every type in our congregation and community.
Spiritual Challenges from Psalm 127
This week, try to “commit your way to the Lord; trust Him” (Psalm 37). Starting with one particular day and extending it longer if you’re able, stop to give an “arrow” prayer before a decision point. Pray, “Lord, guide me in what is best. I’m seeking You” or “Lord, I commit this to You. Help me to have Your ways in the front of my mind and heart.”
Pray this prayer of relinquishment this week (consider praying with open palms):
Without You, I can do nothing. I offer my home, my labor, and my very self to you, Lord, for unless You build it, guard it, and provide it, I have nothing. Help me to rest in You. I release my anxious toil to You and acknowledge that You are in charge.
