Psalm 127“Unless the Lord builds the

house”

Psalm 127“Unless the Lord builds the

house”

Psalm 127 Psalm 127

Wisdom Psalm“A Song of Ascents”Psalms120-134 are the Songs of AscentsAlso: Pilgrim Songs, Songs of Degrees or Gradual PsalmsSo named because the pilgrim Israelites sang them as they traveled from their homes all over the land and ascended Mt. Zion/Jerusalem (2600’) for the annual feasts (Lev. 23)

Psalm 127 Psalm 127

“A Song of Ascents” – found in all 15 Expresses the confidence & hope of worshippersMeant to provide travel inspirationDavid wrote at least 4 (122, 124, 131, 133)10 are anonymousSolomon wrote Psalm 127

The Songs of Ascents The Songs of Ascents Jerusalem (Zion): “Our feet are standing in your gates, O Jerusalem”(122:2)

Peace (shalom): “Peace be upon Israel” (125:5; 128:6)

God’s protection: “Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain”(127:1)

The blessing of children: “Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your sons will be like olive shoots around your table”

(128:3)

The Festivals in ZionThe Festivals in Zion

The Hebrew Calendar (Leviticus 23):

#1 Passover (Spring)Feast of Unleavened Bread & Firstfruits

#2 Feast of Weeks (Early Summer) Pentecost; Shabouth

#3 Feast of Trumpets (Fall) Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement)Feast of Tabernacles/Booths

The Songs of Ascents

I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the LORD.” Our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem. Psalm 122:1-2

Psalm 127 Psalm 127

Solomon as songwriterHe wrote 3,000 proverbs and 1,005 songs He wrote Psalms 72 & 127 He wrote Song of Songs/Song of SolomonSolomon terms in Psalm 127 include:

Building the house (temple)“Beloved” (his other name =

Jedediah)“Vain” (Ecclesiastes)

Psalm 127Psalm 127A Song of Ascents, of Solomon.

1 Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman keeps awake in vain. 2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to retire late, to eat the bread of painful labors; For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep. 3 Behold, children are a gift of the LORD; The fruit of the womb is a reward. 4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth. 5 How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; They shall not be ashamed, when they speak with their enemies in the gate.

Psalm 127 Outline Psalm 127 Outline

Building a family is meaningless without the divine intervention of the Lord (1-2).

The Lord’s provision of children ensures happy security of the family (3-5).

Psalm 127Psalm 127

Building a family is meaningless without the divine intervention of the Lord (1-2). 1 Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman keeps awake in vain.Key phrase: “Unless the Lord”We participate but God “causes” results “Vain” = empty, futile; pointless; false purposeParallel terms: build/labor & guards/keeps awake

Psalm 127Psalm 127

Building a family is meaningless without the divine intervention of the Lord (1-2). 2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to retire late, to eat the bread of painful labors; For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.

“Vain” governs the 3 infinitive clauses (“to ____”)

Early/Late imagery = “to try to make the day longer”

Psalm 127Psalm 127Building a family is meaningless without the divine intervention of the Lord (1-2). 2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to retire late, to eat the bread of painful labors; For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.“Eat the bread of painful sorrows” = sorrowful anxiety & stress produced the bread

Point: A long, industrious day is not wrong. But if done through anxiety and stress, in a life of fear and worry without the Lord, then it is futile and dishonors the Lord.

Psalm 127Psalm 127

Building a family is meaningless without the divine intervention of the Lord (1-2). 2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to retire late, to eat the bread of painful labors; For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.“For He gives…” serves as a contrast to the other way of life just described—the “vain” life.What does He give? (2 views): A) Provision (while sleeping) B) Sleep itself (and our “rest” in His provision)

Psalm 127 Outline Psalm 127 Outline

Building a family is meaningless without the divine intervention of the Lord (1-2).

The Lord’s provision of children ensures happy security of the family (3-5).

Psalm 127Psalm 127

The Lord’s provision of children ensures happy security of the family (3-5). 3 Behold, children are a gift of the LORD; The fruit of the womb is a reward.Gift = “inheritance” (portion, possession, heritage)

Blessing & trust extended to the heir (parents)

Reward = common OT term for “wage; pay”

POINT: The Hebrews saw children as the greatest blessing and enrichment God could give to their lives.

Psalm 127Psalm 127

The Lord’s provision of children ensures happy security of the family (3-5). 4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth. 5 How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; They shall not be ashamed, when they speak with their enemies in the gate.Arrows = “weapons” & “words”

Defend and care for the family’s well-being

Blessed = “asher” (the enjoyment of righteousness)