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Psalm 127

This is a psalm of human endeavor and God's sovereignty, of people laboring with all their attention, all their might, and all their wisdom – but whose trust isn't in their efforts but in God.  It was a preparatory song, sung as the people ascended Zion.  Very possibly the lesson from the Torah that day was going to concern itself with trusting in the Lord rather than in human effort.  The song would surely prepare the people for such a lesson.

The first verses are concerned with building a "house."  We need to remember that for David, Solomon, and the people of Jerusalem a "house" was not merely a structure of wood and stone.  The "house" was in fact the entire family and all they had.  So we read of the "house of David" in many places - meaning all that belonged to David or his clan.  The successful building of such a "house," then, would be a successful marriage, successful rearing of children, and successful accumulation of family (or national) wealth.

The point of this song was that, in the building of such a house, one might give the endeavor his all yet still come up short - still not be successful. But if the Lord, the covenant God of Israel guided every step, blessed every effort - then the efforts would result in success.  In fact, the song continues, the same is true of any human effort, such as guarding a city or nation (the larger "house" of Israel).  The conclusion is that it's useless to "rise up early, sit up late, (or) eat the bread of sorrows (exhaustion!)".  God wants His people to realize that He "gives His beloved sleep," that THEIR efforts alone aren't going to be successful no matter HOW hard they work, that He's given them sleep to refresh them since it's only with HIS blessing that the efforts are going to succeed anyway!

So, what about the building of a "house?"  It's in the LORD'S hands.  Children (which enable the "house" to continue) are HIS reward.  Rearing such children is a great blessing to the parents, because, among other benefits, they learn much wisdom from it - so much that those who accomplish it shall "speak with their enemies in the gate."  The gates, in that day, were the locations for all "court" hearings except those that went to the king himself. The picture here is of an Israelite who has accumulated such wisdom that he is able to sit on these "courts" along with the elders, there to enter into arbitration even with his enemies!

What about YOUR efforts, dear brother or sister?  After you've done the best you can to make your life worthwhile (your "house"), is your trust in the Lord – alone.  It's important to know that only if the Lord has guided your efforts will they be successful!  And this is true of every effort you put forth, including that of raising your family.  That effort, WITH the blessing of the Lord, will result in great wisdom and blessing for you!  Trust in the Lord - alone - while doing it.

Pastor Al.

Your rendition of this on this morning is very meaningful...wow!!!
If I had read your words last week, they wouldn't mean what they mean today...I shed some tears during my prayer time this morning but your ministry re this Psalm has encouraged and lifted me...Thanks dear Brother.  Thanks God!

I am trusting the Lord for something...there is no human way to it but this confirms He is  going to do it.

He is giving me sleep...at last..He provided me with a feather and down  mattress cover...I sleep not "under" the shadow of His Wings...but "in" them now! Letting go and trusting God to act, then I lay me down in peace and receive His gift of sleep.

Blessings.
Jenny  

Thank you for those words Jenny.  May our Father give you the wonderful rest of absolute security and confidence, a rest that can truly "let go and let God."

Good words, Al.  I like your exposition on "what is a house?"

May our God bless you for saying that Nards, and my He bless us both with awareness at all times of the only Source of success!