Read Psalm 127
Questions from the Scripture text: What sort of song is this (superscript)? By whom? Who must build what (Psalm 127:1a)? Or else what (verse 1b)? Who must guard what (verse 1c)? Or else what (verse 1d)? What else is vain (Psalm 127:2a–c)? What does YHWH, Who works in all things at all times, do (verse 2d)? What else does He give (Psalm 127:3)? In what two ways is this giving described? What are children like (Psalm 127:4a)? In whose hand? Especially when one has them when (verse 4b)? Who is happy (Psalm 127:5a)? What do these children not do (verse 5b)? What shall they do (verse 5c)?
How can we be happy and secure? Psalm 127 looks forward to the opening portion of morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that only the Lord gives happiness and security.
Laborers build houses (Psalm 127:1b), and watchmen guard cities (verse 1d). These are real and important tasks. But they are only accomplished in dependence upon the working of YHWH in His providence (verse 1a, c).
So, if we think that, by trusting in our effort and extra zeal, we are going to have a better outcome, then it is vain for us to do that also (Psalm 127:2a–c). The believer must see all of God’s providence as coming in love (“His beloved,” verse 2d). Therefore, they must submit to God’s loving design for us: that we would need things like sleep and receive that sleep as a love-gift.
Another thing that we are to receive as a love-gift from the Lord are grace-grown children whose speech the ungodly cannot withstand (Psalm 127:5b–c, cf. Acts 6:10). Begetting, bearing, and (especially) raising children is hard work! But it must not be done by trusting in the things that we do (right and wise, hopefully) as parents. Rather, they are a “heritage” (Psalm 127:3a) or a “reward” (verse 3b)—both words meaning something that cannot be produced by effort but must ultimately be given by God.
Certainly, there is God-given wisdom involved. The parent in v4 is styled as a “warrior.” But it is the Lord Who makes them arrows, by grace, Who also makes parents warriors, by that same grace. We must cling to this if we are going to follow the biblical value of beginning to fill our quiver (Psalm 127:5a) in our youth (Psalm 127:4a). (Compare this to the biblical value of marrying in one’s youth, cf. Proverbs 5:18, Malachi 2:14). If we are depending upon the Lord for wisdom, and trusting His grace to produce the outcomes, it removes a significant obstacle in the hearts and minds of those who wish to have children but are hesitating.
Shall we build our households with godly children, and guard our future gates with godly children? How happy we would then be! Therefore, let us not only be directed by the Lord’s Word, but do so in dependence upon the Lord’s grace.
Over what have you been fretting, as if it depends upon you? What would it look like to trust God for it, even as you obey?
Sample prayer: Lord, thank You for loving us, and for giving unto us every good thing as a love-gift. For, indeed, You have given us Christ, and therefore will freely give us all things together with Him. Do so, we ask in His Name, AMEN!
Suggested Songs: ARP127 “Unless the LORD Build Up the House” or TPH127A “Unless the Lord the House Shall Build”
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