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Home , Psalm 127, Song of Ascents

Buck Anderson Grace Bible Church Southwood

“: Unless the Lord Builds the House” Psalm 127

The (Pilgrim Song) reminds us that only total dependence on the Lord's intervention ensures a worthwhile and successful family life.

Psalm 127  Wisdom Psalm  “A Song of Ascents”  Psalms120-134 are the Songs of Ascents  Also: Pilgrim Songs, Songs of Degrees or Gradual  So named because the pilgrim Israelites sang them as they traveled from their homes all over the land and ascended Mt. Zion/ (2600’) for the annual feasts (Lev. 23)

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

The Songs of Ascents  Jerusalem (Zion): “Our feet are standing in your gates, O Jerusalem”(122:2)  Peace (shalom): “Peace be upon ” (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 Zion The Hebrew Calendar (Leviticus 23): #1 (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. :1-2

Psalm 127  Solomon as songwriter  He wrote 3,000 proverbs and 1,005 songs  He wrote Psalms 72 & 127  He wrote Song of Songs/Song of Solomon  Solomon terms in Psalm 127 include: Building the house (temple) “Beloved” (his other name = Jedediah) “Vain” (Ecclesiastes)

Psalm 127 A 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 I. Building a family is meaningless without the divine intervention of the Lord (1-2). II. The Lord’s provision of children ensures happy security of the family (3-5).

I. 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 purpose  Parallel terms: build/labor & guards/keeps awake

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”

 “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.

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)

II. 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.

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)