Psalm 127

Steve Shepherd tells a story about some construction workers who drove to their local lumber yard. One of them walked into the office and said, “We need some four-by-twos.”

“You mean two-by-fours, don’t you?” The clerk asked.

The man said, “I’ll go check,” and went back to the truck. He returned and said, “Yeah, I meant two-by-fours.”

“All right. How long do you need them?” asked the clerk.

The man paused for a minute and said, “I’d better go check.” After a while, the customer returned to the office and said, “A long time. We’re gonna build a house.”

Of course, this is a silly story. No builder could be that dumb. But what about building a spiritual house? What does it require? How long does it take? What’s needed?

Psalm 127 offers a few thoughts to guide us.

#1 Rely on the Lord for building.

“Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it.”

The home and family are not a product of Western civilization. It was not a human experiment, that has now become outdated and unworkable. In the very beginning God ordered, ordained and arranged the family. He provided the foundation on which the home is to be built.

His plan is simple. One man and one woman for life, with children being born into that sacred union. While death may occur to crack the foundation, more often than not it is shattered by sin. Infidelity, divorce, perversion and a failure to respect God’s divine directives in the marriage relationship will wreck the home.

Our culture has rejected the Lord and think it knows a better way. It is mistaken. Indeed, “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death” (Prov. 14:12). To built our homes on sure and solid foundation, we must heed the counsel of the wise man:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.

Be advised that it’s not enough for Christians to be opposed to what is wrong about the family, we must be a living example of building our homes on what is right. Loving leadership. Respectful communication. Mutually meeting each other’s needs. Fulfilling our responsibilities. Honoring our God-given roles. And teaching and training our children in the Lord.

#2 Guarding against evil intrusion.

In ancient times the cities were fortified by strong walls and alert watchmen to warn of impeding danger or the approach of enemy invasion.

There is much to guard against today. The devil will try to infiltrate the home and destroy it through evil companions. Illicit literature. Pornographic web sites. Trashy TV shows. Enticing, carnal temptations. And worldly wisdom that leads us away from the Lord.

While we may be opposed to those dangers, we must also be watchful. Alert. Vigilant. And on guard. Many a family has been destroyed by sheer neglect and inattentiveness to the lurking evils around us.

#3 In verse 2 the Psalmist reminds us against “anxious toil” and too much work.

While it is important to respect and teach a Biblical work ethic, there must be a balance. Slow down. Take time to relax. Spent time together. And learn to enjoy the “fruit of your labor” (Eccl. 2:24; 3:13). It has become a modern day proverb that “Nobody on their deathbed has ever said, ‘I wish I had spent more time at the office.’”

Too often we see parents working long hours to buy their children or themselves more material possessions, when really what they need is quality time together. Paul’s exhortation, to “make the best use of your time, because the days are evil,” may well find its practical application in our family life.

#4 Persevering our Heritage.

Verses 3-5 speak of propagating your family, preserving your posterity and producing a lasting legacy.

Never forget that our children are a gift from God. They’ve been entrusted to our care. Our protection. Our guidance. The wise man reminds to “Train up a child in the way he should go” (Prov. 22:6). Albert Barnes explains this means “according to the tenor of his way,” or “the path especially belonging to, especially fitted for, the individual’s character.”

Every child is different. Their temperament, natural abilities, and interests will often drastically vary within the same family. It’s the parents’ job to skillfully help that child develop and grow into “the way that he should go.” Following Moses’ advice in Deuteronomy 6:4-9 will prove helpful.

There’s much to unpack in this short Psalm. It enjoins upon each of us to respect God’s Word. Listen to His counsel. And follow His directives.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman