Psalm 127. Keyword: Discernment

by L.C. Shattock, Leicester | Category: The Songs Of Ascents | May 1982

Previous songs (124 and 126) have acknowledged Israel's indebtedness to divine grace, deliverance and protection. In this psalm the underlying thought is that of the uselessness of human endeavour which does not rely upon the will, power and goodness of the Lord.

Four aspects of human life are presented: the house, the city, business and family life. Houses are built so that homes may be established. A house is not a home until it is possessed. Houses help to make a city, and a city has to be safeguarded. No matter how carefully planned its fortifications, or how vigilant its sentries, without God a city has no security. "Except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain".

The modern pattern of feverishness in human struggle seems well depicted in the description of those who "rise up early, and so late take rest". The Psalmist has discerned that, unless God is in it, driving ambition and relentless toil is vain. Divorced from Him, they bring only anxiety and weariness. Great gain in life is not achieved by such struggle, but by honest labour within appointed limits in which the soul depends upon God and yields to His government. "He giveth unto His beloved sleep". God provides for those who trust Him, even as they rest in sleep after toil is over.

He is the Blesser of the family. The pious Israelite regarded children as a gift from God. In the old dispensation, to be without children was thought to be a disgrace. In this dispensation the presence or absence of a family is no evidence of favour or disfavour. The nation of Israel depended upon the expansion of the family unit for its numerical strength and standing.

The principle this psalm emphasizes is fundamental to our present situation. "Except the LORD build ..." we build in vain. Apart from Me ye can do nothing" says our Master (John 15:5). Our building today is not a material city as was Zion, but we build a spiritual house for God. It is still true nonetheless that we must be fellow-workers with God if that which we perform is to be perfected. In spite of our vigilance to keep that which we have built, it can abide only as the Lord Himself guards and protects it.

Psalm 128. Key phrase: Domestic Blessing

The word "blessed" with which this psalm begins has a plural import. It could be rendered by the phrase, "oh, the happinesses of", or "oh, the blessings of". These happinesses stem from fearing the Lord. To fear the Lord is not to be afraid of God: it is to live our lives in an attitude of trust and constant awareness of God's holiness and truth. To fear the Lord is to obey God. The happy man walks in His ways. The fear is an inward emotion whereas the walk is its outward expression. No one really fears the Lord who does not walk in His ways. The fear is a cause, the walk is an effect. The fear is in the heart, the walk is in the feet.

As a God-fearing family usually flows from God-fearing parents, so also a God-fearing community grows from God-fearing families. Notice the effect of a God-fearing man upon his family. "His wife shall be like a fruitful vine

his children like olive plants". These similes are spiritual in their implications. "A fruitful vine" means a life which is producing that which pleases God. "Olive plants" - plants, not branches, for each has independent developing life - life for God. The sphere of that development is primarily in the family circle - "round about the table". Thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord.

"The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion". The blessing upon the man who walks with God emanates from the sanctuary; "and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem". The place of divine testimony is enriched by the godliness of those who fear the Lord. Spiritual strength in every age depends upon God-fearing men, men whose influence and example contribute to God-fearing men, men whose influence and example contribute to

God-fearing families.

L.C. Shattock, Leicester | May 1982
The Songs Of Ascents