UNLESS THE LORD BUILDS THE HOUSE

Passage: Psalms 127:1-5

Key verse: 1

NIV

Psalm 127
A song of ascents. Of Solomon.

1 Unless the Lord builds(A) the house,
    the builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches(B) over the city,
    the guards stand watch in vain.
2 In vain you rise early
    and stay up late,
toiling for food(C) to eat—
    for he grants sleep(D) to[a] those he loves.(E)

3 Children are a heritage from the Lord,
    offspring a reward(F) from him.
4 Like arrows(G) in the hands of a warrior
    are children born in one’s youth.
5 Blessed is the man
    whose quiver is full of them.(H)
They will not be put to shame
    when they contend with their opponents(I) in court.(J)

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Footnotes
  1. Psalm 127:2 Or eat— / for while they sleep he provides for
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Unless the Lord Builds the House

A Song of (A)Ascents. Of Solomon.

127 Unless the Lord builds the house,
    those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord (B)watches over the city,
    the watchman stays awake in vain.
2 It is in vain that you rise up early
    and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious (C)toil;
    for he gives to his (D)beloved (E)sleep.

3 Behold, (F)children are a heritage from the Lord,
    (G)the fruit of the womb a reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of (H)a warrior
    are the children[a] of one's youth.
5 Blessed is the man
    who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame
    when he speaks with his enemies (I)in the gate.[b]

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Footnotes
  1. Psalm 127:4 Or sons
  2. Psalm 127:5 Or They shall not be put to shame when they speak with their enemies in the gate
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. When the Lord builds (1-2)

Even though we work hard to build a happy home and a secure life, we work in vain if we leave God out. Without God's blessing, our happy home becomes a miserable home. We want to live in peace and security. Peace and security come from God-not from insurance or a big bank account or a job with good benefits. No family can hold together and be fruitful unless God watches over and establishes it.

2. Sons are a heritage from the Lord (3-5)

God is the one who gives children. They belong to him. He gives physical children and he gives spiritual children. It is not easy to raise children in a crooked and corrupt world, but God's blessings are not necessarily easy to bear. There are many enemies who would destroy God's children. We need God's help to raise children to be a blessing to us and to their generation.

Prayer: Lord, you are building your house; let me be a part of your work. Help me to bear the blessings you give so that your name may be glorified.

One Word: Unless the Lord builds the house