Podcasts about Psalm 127

There are two perspectives that bring rest in an uncontrollable world: accepting God as the source of control and aligning our lives with his grace.

Rev. Cyril A. Stevens – Sermon 0200A recorded on July 27, 1980 teaching from Psalm 127:3-5 – The Blessing of Children. Pastor Cyril A. Stevens explores the biblical metaphor of children as arrows, illustrating how they represent both a profound heritage from the Lord and a dynamic, sometimes piercing, influence within a family. He structures his message around…

Help Persecuted Christians TODAY: https://csi-usa.org/quickstart/ Christian Solidarity International On today's Quick Start podcast: NEWS: Europe's growing migration crisis raises fresh concerns over rising antisemitism, social unrest, and the future of the continent's Christian identity. FOCUS: China rolls out new AI regulations designed to stop chatbots from fostering emotional dependence on human users. MAIN THING: Raj Nair joins Dan Andros to respond after popular podcasters spark controversy by criticizing Christian homeschooling families. BIBLE VERSE: Psalm 127:3 — "Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward." SHOW LINKS Radical Revelations with Raj Nair https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/radical-revelations/id1888511250 Faith in Culture: https://cbn.com/news/faith-culture Heaven Meets Earth PODCAST: https://cbn.com/lp/heaven-meets-earth NEWSMAKERS POD: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/newsmakers/id1724061454

Summer Songs: Pilgrim Songs for Following JesusJuly 12, 2026 Worship GatheringsPastor Michael EubanksThe Glade ChurchTo support this ministry and help us continue to reach people click here: http://www.thegladechurch.org/give—— Stay Connected Website: http://www.thegladechurch.org/The Glade Church Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGladeChurchThe Glade Church Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegladechurch

Preached July 12, 2026 at Risen Church | ⁠⁠⁠⁠risenhayward.com⁠

Psalm 127 "Working with the Lord"Series: Guest Speakers Speaker: Guest SpeakerMessiah DowntownDate: 12th July 2026-------------------Summer in the Psalms Psalm 127 "Working with the Lord" July 12, 2026– WAYS TO GIVE: https://www.messiahchurch.ca/donate – Web: https://www.messiahchurch.ca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ottawamessiahchurch Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cotmottawa

Robert Morgan, Associate Pastor of World Outreach Church, shares that America's founding was deeply shaped by Scripture, reminding us that God still calls us to build our lives on the unchanging foundation of His Word. Long before the Declaration of Independence, pastors were preaching from Scripture and shaping the ideas that would become the foundation of a new nation. Seven key Bible verses played a remarkable role in American history, from Deuteronomy 1:13 inspiring the first colonial constitution to Acts 4:12 being spoken over a dying Alexander Hamilton. George Washington, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and others drew deeply from the Bible in their leadership and decision-making. The Constitutional Convention itself was rescued from collapse when Franklin quoted Psalm 127:1 and called the delegates to prayer. These stories have been quietly removed from textbooks, but they are real and they matter. The same God who guided a fledgling nation through impossible odds is still at work today, and the question for each of us is whether we will build our lives on His foundation.Verse References:Deuteronomy 1:13 inspired pastor Thomas Hooker to argue that people have a God-given right to choose their own leaders. His ideas led directly to the Connecticut Constitution, the prototype for the U.S. Constitution.Romans 13:1 was the text of a 1750 sermon that John Adams later called the catechism of the revolution, preached by Jonathan Mayhew more than two decades before the first shots were fired.Psalm 35:1 was read aloud at the First Continental Congress at a moment of crisis, and the delegates felt as though it had been placed in the Bible just for them.Joel 3:19 was the text pastor Jonas Clark preached after seven members of his congregation were killed at Lexington Green, the opening battle of the Revolutionary War.1 Samuel 7:12 was the passage Washington's chaplain preached after the impossible victory at Yorktown, calling the soldiers to remember God's providential help throughout the war.Psalm 127:1 was quoted by Benjamin Franklin at the Constitutional Convention when the entire process was on the verge of collapse. Washington then led the delegates to a nearby church to pray, and they returned to produce the Constitution.Acts 4:12 were among the last words spoken over Alexander Hamilton as he lay dying after his duel with Aaron Burr. He humbly acknowledged his sin and trusted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.

The Real Way to Get Something Done | Psalm 127:1-3 Pastor Jay Noll

"The Lord Builds What Truly Matters" (Psalm 127: 1-5)

Since its conception, the HomeMatters ministry has been based on this psalm that we find in God's Word. It's always important to revisit God's Word, promise, and instruction in this passage. The Boggs have held tightly to this passage in leading this ministry, in teaching at marriage conferences and events, and in leading conferences on parenting. The word here never gets old and it always brings direction and a path to follow when leading a home and family!

Today Pastor Jason preaches from Psalm 127, reminding us that God's plan is better than our own. As we celebrate Father's Day, we are challenged to trust the Lord, faithfully disciple the next generation, and steward the children He has entrusted to us.

Send us Fan MailFatherhood can hit you like a single sentence in a doctor's office: “You're having a girl.” One moment you feel strong, the next you're staring at your limits and wondering if you're actually equipped for what's coming. I open Psalm 127:3 and challenge the common story dads carry around, that children are a problem to manage instead of a gift from the Lord to steward with purpose and joy. We are excited to be speaking at Mountain Life Church in Park City Utah on June 20th.  Lock in your spot at this link to register. Our latest plan just released on the Bible App called I'm Just a Guy: Feeling Stuck at Work. You can start that plan at this link.  Most men fight a battle no one sees—their thoughts. Shame, temptation, and negative spirals don't just go away. This plan on the Bible App helps you bring that fight into the light, take thoughts captive, and build real discipline of the mind. If you're ready to stop drifting and start leading your thoughts, start here: https://thelionwithin.us/devotional/im-just-a-guy-trying-to-be-healthy/It's time to stop sitting on the sidelines.Step into the fight and become the man God called you to be. Join a brotherhood built on truth, strength, and action. Visit thelionwithin.us right now and start leading with boldness and purpose. Iron sharpens iron — let's go.

Parenting can feel overwhelming, confusing, and at times exhausting—but what if God never intended children to be seen as a burden? In this encouraging message from Psalm 127:3-5, Eric reminds us that children are a blessing from the Lord, entrusted to us with both purpose and potential. Discover how the treasure of Christ within us gives parents the strength to remain hopeful even when parenting leaves us perplexed. Whether you're raising young children, guiding grown ones, or reflecting on your own parents, this message offers biblical encouragement for the journey.

June 21st, 2026 Pastor Chad McDonald

"Unless the Lord Builds the HousePsalm 127How to have a life of purpose and peace:1. Work in complete dependence on the Lord2. Rest with complete trust in the Lord3. Parent with complete gratitude to the Lord4. Live as one completely loved by the Lord

Sermon by Davy Lee on June 21, 2026. 

June 21st, 2026 Pastor Chad McDonald

This sermon explores Psalm 127 and challenges fathers—and all parents—to ask a crucial question: What are we building our homes on? Through King Solomon's wisdom, we discover that children are a gift from God, that a Christ-centered foundation is essential for a lasting legacy, and that meaningful connection with our families requires intentional presence, affection, and time together.Whether you're a parent, grandparent, or simply seeking to strengthen your home, this message offers practical encouragement and biblical wisdom for building a family that honors God and impacts generations to come.

What if your greatest calling as a parent is bigger than success, sports, or achievements? Pastor Jeff Schreve shows from Psalm 127 that children are not just to be raised—they are to be shaped into arrows for God's purposes. He challenges parents to rethink priorities and put spiritual growth above everything else. With practical insight and biblical clarity, this message calls families back to what truly matters. Step into your role and raise the next generation to stand strong for Christ.

Is God truly at the center of your home, or just invited in when things go wrong? Pastor Jeff Schreve shows from Psalm 127 that a flourishing family starts with full devotion, not “a little bit of God.” He also warns of the enemy's real attack on marriages and families and the need for God's protection. This episode brings both urgency and hope to your family life. Let God take His rightful place and watch Him transform your home.

❖ Follow along with today's reading: www.esv.org/1Kings7;Psalm127;Hebrews1–3 ❖ The English Standard Version (ESV) is an 'essentially literal' translation of the Bible in contemporary English. Created by a team of more than 100 leading evangelical scholars and pastors, the ESV Bible emphasizes 'word-for-word' accuracy, literary excellence, and depth of meaning. ❖ To learn more about the ESV and other audio resources, please visit www.ESV.org

Build your life in dependence upon God's blessing. Preacher: Matt Ecton

Steve Surbaugh

How does God build a house that no one can tear down? In this message from Psalm 127, Pastor Terry Fant walks through what it means for the Lord to be the builder of our homes — starting with salvation through Jesus Christ, through the design of marriage, and into the calling of raising children as "arrows" aimed at the Kingdom.

FROM TODAY'S RECAP: - TBR Bookshelf Graphics - Finishers Page Note: We provide links to specific resources; this is not an endorsement of the entire website, author, organization, etc. Their views may not represent our own. SHOW NOTES: - Follow The Bible Recap: Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | YouTube - Follow Tara-Leigh Cobble: Instagram - Read/listen on the Bible App or Dwell App - Learn more at our Start Page - Become a RECAPtain - Shop the TBR Store PARTNER MINISTRIES: D-Group International Israelux The God Shot TLC Writing & Speaking DISCLAIMER: The Bible Recap, Tara-Leigh Cobble, and affiliates are not a church, pastor, spiritual authority, or counseling service. Listeners and viewers consume this content on a voluntary basis and assume all responsibility for the resulting consequences and impact.

Reading by Deborah Volosin ---   1 Chronicles 26-29; Psalm 127   https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Chronicles%2026-29%3B%20Psalm%20127&version=ESV&interface=print

Day 147: 1st Chronicles 26-29, Psalm 127✝️Daily Scripture: Chronological Bible Readings (KJV)The complete King James Bible in a year, in chronological order. Read by C Levi Farrell.This podcast is free, and ad-free. To support its creator or purchase lossless audio, visit CLeviFarrell.comChapters:(00:00) 1st Chronicles 26(04:50) 1st Chronicles 27(10:07) 1st Chronicles 28(14:55) 1st Chronicles 29(20:51) Psalm 127

❖ Today's Bible reading is Psalm 127: www.ESV.org/Psalm127 ❖ To read along with the podcast, grab a print copy of the devotional: www.crossway.org/books/in-the-lord-i-take-refuge-hcj/ ❖ Browse other resources from Dane Ortlund: www.crossway.org/authors/dane-c-ortlund/

ABOUT SILVERDALE BAPTIST CHURCH Silverdale exists to lead people into an authentic relationship with Christ so they will worship God, grow in their faith, and serve the Lord in our community and world. Silverdale's Lead Pastor is Tony Walliser. FIND US ONLINE Website http://silverdalebc.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/silverdalebcInstagram https://www.instagram.com/silverdalebcFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/silverdalebc

ABOUT SILVERDALE BAPTIST CHURCH Silverdale exists to lead people into an authentic relationship with Christ so they will worship God, grow in their faith, and serve the Lord in our community and world. Silverdale's Lead Pastor is Tony Walliser. FIND US ONLINE Website http://silverdalebc.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/silverdalebcInstagram https://www.instagram.com/silverdalebcFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/silverdalebc

From Pastor David Peck | From the sermon series: Psalms of The Savior. The Psalms have much to offer God's people for relating to Him in worship, prayer and instruction. The Psalms also reveal more about our Savior who knew, sang and prayed the Psalms during His first coming. This series is intended to help believers see their Savior more clearly and grow in our worship. The Psalms also afford many opportunities to explain the Gospel and call upon nonbelievers to repent and place their faith in our wonderful Savior.

❖ Follow along with today's reading: www.esv.org/Psalm72:1–20;Psalm127:1–5;Proverbs1:1–33 ❖ The English Standard Version (ESV) is an 'essentially literal' translation of the Bible in contemporary English. Created by a team of more than 100 leading evangelical scholars and pastors, the ESV Bible emphasizes 'word-for-word' accuracy, literary excellence, and depth of meaning. ❖ To learn more about the ESV and other audio resources, please visit www.ESV.org

Our homes are a gift from the Lord, but they're also a responsibility. Today we study a joyful psalm and learn how God has entrusted us with an array of things that we must center on Him. Join us for joyful study in a joyful psalm! DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1.    What does verse 1 mean when it talks about the Lord building the house? Have you ever seen people try to build their homes without the Lord? What does that look like? What were the long-term spiritual implications of that?  2.    In verse 1, who guards the city? Does this verse say that watchmen are not necessary? If not, what is it saying?  3.    How often do you rise up early to accomplish more work? In verse 2, what is the "bread of painful labors?" Why is this vain? Have you ever tried to take on more than the Lord has given for you to do? What was the result?  4.    Verse 2 talks about the Lord's provision for His people, even when they're sleeping. Does this mean that His people don't need to work? What does it mean?  5.    How does Psalm 127 establish the principle that if we're too busy to have a life centered on the Lord, then we're busier than He wants us to be?  6.    In verse 3, why are children a blessing from the Lord? How is this different from the world's view of children? If you have children, do you view them as a direct blessing from God?  7.    What is the meaning behind verse 4? Why does the author compare children to arrows in the hand of a warrior?  8.    Why is a full house a blessing? Is this how the world characterizes full homes?  9.    As the podcast was finishing up, it asked several questions:  a.    Is God part of your home and to what degree?  b.    Are you looking to Him to watch over you and protect you?  c.    Are you looking to Him to teach you about parenting?   d.    Is what you're trying to produce in your home centered on Him? e.    Are there any changes that you need to make in light of your answers to these questions?  Check out our Bible Study Guide on the Key Chapters of Genesis! Available on Amazon just in time for the Genesis relaunch in January! To see our dedicated podcast website with access to all our episodes and other resources, visit us at: www.keychapters.org. Find us on all major platforms, or use these direct links: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6OqbnDRrfuyHRmkpUSyoHv Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/366-key-chapters-in-the-bible/id1493571819 YouTube: Key Chapters of the Bible on YouTube. As always, we are grateful to be included in the "Top 100 Bible Podcasts to Follow" from Feedspot.com. Also for regularly being awarded "Podcast of the Day" from PlayerFM. Special thanks to Joseph McDade for providing our theme music.   

“Work, Worry, and Grace”Psalm 1271 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 those 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.CONNECT WITH USIf you have any questions or would like to get to know us further, head over to https://www.triumphlbc.org/connect and fill out our online connection card.ABOUT TRIUMPHTriumph wants to see the life and message of Jesus transform your heart, home, and city. To learn more visit https://www.triumphlbc.org/CONNECT WITH USIf you have any questions or would like to get to know us further, head over to https://www.triumphlbc.org/connect and fill out our online connection card.ABOUT TRIUMPHTriumph wants to see the life and message of Jesus transform your heart, home, and city. To learn more visit https://www.triumphlbc.org/

Welcome to Day 2863 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2863 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 127:1-5 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2863 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2863 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. The title for today's Wisdom-Trek is: The Song of Ascent – The Architect, the Watchman, and the Warrior In our previous episode on this grand expedition, we climbed through the seventh Song of Ascent, Psalm One Hundred Twenty-Six. We stood in the tension of the “already, but not yet,” remembering the unbelievable, dream-like rescue of God's people from exile, while desperately praying for a fresh outpouring of His grace. We learned the profound, agricultural lesson of the sower. We discovered that in the contested territory of this fallen world, we often have to plant our seeds in tears, exhausted by the spiritual warfare around us. Yet, we anchored our souls to the unbreakable, cosmic guarantee that those who weep as they plant will eventually return singing, carrying a massive, joyful harvest. Today, we take our next deliberate steps upward on this ancient pilgrim trail. We are exploring the eighth song in this magnificent collection. We are turning our attention to Psalm One Hundred Twenty-Seven, verses one through five, in the New Living Translation. Interestingly, this specific psalm is attributed to King Solomon. Solomon was the ultimate builder of the ancient world; he built the glorious Temple, fortified cities, and amassed unprecedented wealth. Yet, in this psalm, he pauses to deliver a sobering warning about the futility of human ambition. He teaches us that building a physical empire, or a lasting family legacy, is entirely useless if the Architect of the cosmos is not the one holding the blueprints. Let us step onto the trail, and learn how to build a legacy that actually lasts. The first segment is: The Futility of Autonomous Ambition Psalm One Hundred Twenty-Seven: verses one and two. Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good. It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones. This magnificent stanza opens with a definitive, double-sided declaration of human limitation. “Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good.” To truly grasp the weight of these words, we must view them through the lens of the Ancient Israelite worldview, specifically regarding the Divine Council and the cosmic rebellion. When human beings attempt to build a house, a dynasty, or a fortified city without the authorization and the active presence of Yahweh, they are essentially repeating the catastrophic sin of the Tower of Babel. At Babel, humanity sought to build a localized empire, a massive tower to reach the heavens, in order to make a great name for themselves, completely autonomous from the Creator. That act of autonomous ambition resulted in God disinheriting the nations, confusing their languages, and placing them under the jurisdiction of lesser, rebel spiritual principalities, the fallen elohim. Therefore, any city, or any human institution, built outside the cosmic order of God, is inherently vulnerable. It belongs to the chaotic, unstable realm of the rebel gods. You can hire the greatest architects, lay the thickest foundation stones, and post the most highly trained sentries on the walls, but if the Most High God is not the active Protector of that territory, the entire enterprise is spiritually bankrupt. It is destined to collapse into the dust. This reality brings us to the deeply psychological, and practical, observation in verse two. “It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.” The rebel gods of the surrounding pagan cultures demanded endless, anxious labor from their followers. The deities of Canaan, Egypt, and Babylon were viewed as cruel taskmasters, requiring constant sacrifices and frantic appeasement just to ensure the rains would fall, and the crops would grow. The kingdom of darkness thrives on human anxiety. It wants you waking up before dawn, terrified of failure, and going to bed late, exhausted and consumed by the stress of basic survival. But Solomon, the wisest king of Israel, calls this frantic, autonomous striving “useless.” It is vanity. It is chasing the wind. He draws a sharp, beautiful contrast between the oppressive systems of the world, and the loving economy of Yahweh. “For God gives rest to his loved ones.” Other translations say, “He provides for His beloved even in his sleep.” The God of the Bible is not a cruel taskmaster. He is the loving Father who provides Shalom—complete, restful wholeness. This does not mean that believers are called to be lazy. We are called to be diligent, responsible stewards of creation. But the motivation changes entirely. We do not work out of a suffocating, paralyzing fear of starvation, or a desperate need to build our own autonomous empires. We work from a place of profound rest, knowing that the Sovereign Lord is the ultimate Provider, and that He is intimately guarding the house we are building. The second segment is: The Divine Gift and the Rejection of the Fertility Cults Psalm One Hundred Twenty-Seven: verse three. Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him. Suddenly, the psalm pivots. Solomon shifts the metaphor from building a physical house out of stones and cedar, to building a household, a dynasty, made out of human lives. He declares, “Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.” In our modern culture, we might read this simply as a sweet, sentimental statement about the joy of parenting. But in the ancient Near East, this was a massive, aggressive theological claim. It was an act of profound spiritual warfare. The nations surrounding Israel were deeply entrenched in fertility cults. They worshiped gods like Baal and Asherah, believing that these localized, rebel deities controlled the womb, the rain, and the harvest. When a couple wanted to conceive a child, they would participate in the corrupt, often deeply immoral, rituals of the pagan temples, frantically trying to manipulate the gods into granting them fertility. By stating that “Children are a gift from the Lord,” the psalmist is explicitly stripping all power and authority away from the false gods of Canaan. He is reminding the pilgrims that Baal has absolutely no jurisdiction over human life. The womb is not controlled by the chaotic forces of nature; it is the exclusive, sovereign domain of Yahweh. Every single child is a direct, intentional inheritance, and a precious reward, handed down by the Creator of the universe. To build a family legacy, you do not turn to the frantic, anxious practices of the world; you look upward, to the Giver of all good things. The third segment is: The Warrior's Quiver and the Expansion of the Kingdom Psalm One Hundred Twenty-Seven: verses four and five. Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior's hands. How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them! He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates. Having established the divine origin of the family, Solomon introduces one of the most striking, martial metaphors in the entire Psalter. “Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior's hands.” Why does he compare children to weapons of war? Because, in the biblical worldview, raising a family is not a neutral, passive activity. It is an act of strategic, generational combat. The world is contested territory, deeply infected by the lies, the injustice, and the chaotic rebellion of the dark spiritual principalities. When you raise children in the fear and admonition of the Lord, you are intentionally shaping imagers of God, preparing them to push back against the darkness. Consider the nature of an arrow. An arrow is not meant to be kept safely inside the quiver forever. A warrior carefully shapes the shaft, balances the weight, sharpens the arrowhead, and attaches the fletching. All of this meticulous, grueling preparation is done for one specific purpose: to launch the arrow outward, into enemy...

From Pastor David Peck | From the sermon series: Psalms of The Savior. The Psalms have much to offer God's people for relating to Him in worship, prayer and instruction. The Psalms also reveal more about our Savior who knew, sang and prayed the Psalms during His first coming. This series is intended to help believers see their Savior more clearly and grow in our worship. The Psalms also afford many opportunities to explain the Gospel and call upon nonbelievers to repent and place their faith in our wonderful Savior.

Old Testament Sermons / Speaker:Berry Kercheville Psalm 127 Unless the Lord Builds the House Introduction: “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.” That is a mouthful and deserves our careful consideration. There is more to these words than you might imagine, and certainly more than I imagined. The key to the Psalm is dependence on God, without which all of one's effort will be in vain (used 3x) in the text. The psalm reminds us to have an acute awareness of God's overseeing presence in our world and in our lives. Human strength and the apparent success in human ventures cannot be proven in short time frames, but can only be evaluated over a lifetime. Isaiah 40:6-7 “All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the Lord blows on it; sure the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” The context of this passage is God's reminder that it is only his word “implanted” and applied in our lives that will enable us to overcome the withering of our grass-like existence. Three Concerns for Building, 1-2 The efforts of building a “house.” The application could apply to any project, from the church, to a business, to one's own household. Obviously, “house” is not speaking of a place to live, but of a large family that grows over generations. We all hope and pray that the generations following us will continue to be faithful to the Lord. There will almost always be exceptions when certain of our descendants turn from God, but this psalm speaks of our actions at the present. Are we going to build the house, or is God building our house?  Guarding what one has built. Again, that could be a city, a nation, one's own home, or one's life. A watchman is watching for an impending attack. Evil lurks at any given moment. Human ability to watch and warn is limited. But God can see all, and without him our watching is in vain. It is not that a watchman in the city us unnecessary, any more than a builder is not needed to build a house. But our human limitations leave us vulnerable without God as the primary “watcher.”  Our house needs to be guarded from the evil one. His attacks come from every angle: TV's, computers, phones, alcohol, and worldly influences. Are we ensuring that the Lord watches the house?  How one treats his labor in building. God desires to give sleep/rest to his beloved. Labor is good and commanded by the Lord, but it is intended to be balanced with other responsibilities. The Preacher in Ecclesiastes 9:7-10 prioritizes God and family ahead of one's work. We must work, but we must not “eat the bread of anxious toil” trusting in self instead of the Lord. Consider the word “vain.” We know the word because of its use in Ecclesiastes. Just as in Ecclesiastes, “vain” indicates that which is short term, not long term. It is the opposite of success and eternal life and joy. When we understand the word, we can see how Solomon warns us by negative statements. Building, watching, and laboring without the Lord's direction will end in failure. The opposite is then also true. Building, watching, and laboring with our eyes on the Lord, will not be vain, but instead, guarantees success. Therefore, there is security in building, watching, and laboring when the Lord is the goal and primary focus. Any effort or work we humans pursue, also comes with doubt and fear of failure. But when the Lord builds the house, we can be confident in the best outcome. Even in the midst of trials and missteps, we are always steadfastly following the goal, knowing that the Lord produces the outcome. The Primary Focus of Building Now we see what the Lord is building. The focus is on children that are a heritage or inheritance from the Lord. Complimenting verses 1-2, our children are not “ours,” they are “a heritage from the Lord,” and therefore as parents we are stewards (caretakers of another's goods) of our children, a blessing God has entrusted to you. God's primary goal for our children is not fun or happiness. If the Lord is building our house, and we are to be found faithful as stewards of God's children, teaching them that they are image-bearers of God sent throughout the world to reflect God's image. They are “children arrows” so that when he “speaks with the enemies in the gate,” parent nor child will be put to shame. Verses 3-5 are a contrast to the vanity of verses 1-2. The last three verses exhibit a house built by the Lord, a house over which the Lord will watch, and a household in which labor is kept in balance so that anxiousness is taken away because of one's trust in the Lord. The result: “God gives to his beloved sleep.” The implication is not just a good night's sleep, but a comfort and security knowing that the Lord is our ultimate provider. It is the opposite of the agonizing labor of one who is filled with fear and anxiety concerning his future. Verses 4-5 mirrors the three times in Genesis that the Lord commanded, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.” What is especially noteworthy is that the Lord said it twice following the Flood in Genesis 9:1, 7. It is difficult to read those words and not take to heart a direct command from God. Consider a few reasons why children were important to God: Most importantly, bearing children is kingdom work. We say, “Oh but look at how evil the world has become!” Yes, but it has always been that way, and God gave us the responsibility of filling the world with his image-bearers and children-arrows that will be able to “speak with his enemies in the gate.” Remember, the Lord is building the house, the Lord is watching over our lives and family, the Lord is taking away our “anxious toil.” Trust the Lord. Consider this: what are the expectations of the survival of a church that does not have children? If there are no children, you might as well preach their funeral. Soon the light that at one time shone brightly in those areas is now dimming, and soon will be extinguished. However, in this psalm the Lord is primarily exalting the benefit of children to the individual couple. Children are an “inheritance and reward from the Lord.” And what is especially wonderful today, because of Sacred Selections, those who are unable to have children can adopt without going into debt and those who cannot adopt can financially support adoption: “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world” (James 1:27). One more benefit: children grow us spiritually. Children require us to mature. Notice that the text refers to “children of one's youth.” Yes, we had children when were young and dumb, but if we trusted in God, “the Lord built the house and the Lord watched over our efforts.” Marriage and children change us to be more perfectly in the image of God, and is one of the primary ways the Lord prepares us for his eternal kingdom. Seeing the Greater House the Lord Is Building Psalm 127 is about a household. It is about building a house with the direction and help of the Lord. Without the Lord, the house and household are failures and do not reach the purpose of the Lord. In the text, the focus is not on a father or a mother, they are understood to be present and are builders along side the Lord, but they are not the focus. The Lord is the focus. He is the one who builds and watches; he is the one who gives rest to those who trust him and gives children arrows as an inheritance. Now I want you to tie this into the way the Lord pictures children in his kingdom. We are too narrow in our understanding if we are simply looking at the children of a physical family. Isaiah 53:10 This text briefly sets up what we will seen in chapter 54. In spite of the Lord offering himself in death, in his resurrection he will “prolong his days” and “see his offspring.” Just as “the Lord builds the house” in the psalm, so here we see the true house the Lord is building.  Isaiah 54:1-3, 13 This text gives us a description of how the Lord will see his offspring. Sarah, long dead, though desolate and unable to have children, will now see her children. In fact, she will have so many children that her offspring will be far more than children that come from the physical offspring of Abraham's concubine wife who was not barren. You might say, “But Sarah only had one child!” Oh no she didn't! In fact, Sarah is still having children! Even Isaac would not have been born if were not for the Lord building the house.  The children of Sarah are so many that God's true Israel must “enlarge their tent” so that the offspring of Sarah is spread abroad through the whole earth and possesses the nations. Verse 13 confirms this even further. “All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.” Let's add one more text: Isaiah 56:3-5. God calls to the eunuchs, those who cannot have physical children, and tells them not to think of themselves as those who cannot produce offspring, for God will give them “in my house a monument and name better than [physical] sons and daughters.” So today is Mother's Day. That's nice, but it isn't the Mother's Day the Lord celebrates. Teresa's co-worker told her yesterday that she doesn't go to church on Mother's Day; it's too depressing. Well, that's not the way it is in God's kingdom, and that is not the way it is in this church. Everyone here are mothers and fathers of offspring equally great as the beautiful children we have present with us. No one is a dry tree in the kingdom of God.  Conclusion: “Sing, O barren one, who did not bear; break forth into singing and cry aloud, you who have not been in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than the children of her who is married, says the Lord.”  Berry Kercheville The post Psalm 127 Unless the Lord Builds the House appeared first on Woodland Hills Church of Christ.

Joshua Mack | Psalm 127

From Pastor David Peck | From the sermon series: Psalms of The Savior. The Psalms have much to offer God's people for relating to Him in worship, prayer and instruction. The Psalms also reveal more about our Savior who knew, sang and prayed the Psalms during His first coming. This series is intended to help believers see their Savior more clearly and grow in our worship. The Psalms also afford many opportunities to explain the Gospel and call upon nonbelievers to repent and place their faith in our wonderful Savior.

mp3

Key Verse: Psalm 127:1 - Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.

Can you find Jesus in the book of Psalms? Today, W. Robert Godfrey examines how Psalm 127 points forward to Christ, God's promised King. Request Learning to Love the Psalms with your donation. You'll receive W. Robert Godfrey's book, his video teaching series on DVD, digital access to all 12 messages, and the digital study guide: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/   Live outside the U.S. and Canada? Request the ebook, digital teaching series, and digital study guide with your donation: https://www.renewingyourmind.org/global   Meet Today's Teacher:   W. Robert Godfrey is a Ligonier Ministries teaching fellow and chairman of Ligonier Ministries. He is president emeritus and professor emeritus of church history at Westminster Seminary California. Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Jeremy Lallier discusses Psalm 127:3-5—“Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; they shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with their enemies in the gate.”