Beloved, I am glad to share with you today the above theme from Ps 127:1 and following. Indeed, Psalm 127 reminds us that every undertaking is doomed to failure if it does not initially have the Lord’s approval. A matter may seem good, deserve a lot of time and pain, and it will come to nothing if He has not worked on it (John 15:4-8). The Christian’s peaceful and confident activity, followed by a quiet sleep, contrasts with the feverish and ambitious restlessness of the men of this world (Ec 2:22-23). Verset 1st reminds in particular young people who are thinking about marriage (building their home), the need to be led by the Lord to then have his blessing.
“If the Lord does not build the house… In affirming that God governs the world and man’s life, he does so for two reasons: First, no matter what prosperous event falls upon men, their ingratitude manifests itself instantly by attributing it entirely to themselves; and thus God is deprived of the honor due to him. Solomon, to correct such a perverse error, declares that nothing happens to us in a prosperous way, except to the extent that God blesses our efforts. Second, its purpose was to break down the foolish presumption of men who, putting God aside, are not afraid to do anything, relying exclusively on their own wisdom and strength. Thus stripping them of what they arrogate to themselves without foundation, he exhorts them to modesty and the invocation of God. It does not, however, reject work, enterprises or the advice of men; for it is a commendable virtue to diligently discharge the duties of our office.
It’s not the Lord’s will that we be like blocks of wood or that we stand idly by and do nothing; but that we should apply to use all the talents and benefits that he has given us. It’s true that most of our work proceeds from the curse of God; and yet, although men have retained the integrity of their primitive state, God would have wanted us to be employed, as we see how Adam was placed in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and guard it (Gn 2:15). Therefore, Solomon does not condemn vigilance, something that God approves; nor the work of men, by which when they undertake it voluntarily, according to God’s commandment, they offer him every acceptable sacrifice; but lest, blinded by presumption, forcibly appropriate what belongs to God, he warns them that their occupation will be of no use to them, except to the extent that God blesses their efforts.
For it is up to us to remember that since the minds of men are commonly possessed of such obstinate arrogance which leads them to despise God and magnify beyond measure their own means and advantages, nothing is more important than to humiliate them, in order to make them perceive that whatever they undertake, it will dissolve into smoke, unless God, in the exercise of pure grace, makes it prosper. When philosophers discuss the political affairs of a state, they ingeniously bring together everything that seems to them to meet their purpose – they sharply emphasize the means of erecting a Commonwealth, and on the other hand the vices by which a well-regulated state is generally corrupt; in short, they speak with consummate skill about all that is necessary to be known about it, except that they omit the main point – which is that men, whatever they may excel in wisdom and virtue, and whatever endeavors they may engage in, can do nothing, unless God reaches out to them, or rather uses them as his instruments.
For which philosophers have never recognized that a politician is nothing but an instrument guided by the hand of God? Yes, they argued rather that good management of man was the main cause of the happiness of the social body. Now, since mortal men thus rise with profane audacity to build cities and to order the state of the whole world, the Holy Spirit rightly condemns such folly: Let’s therefore occupy ourselves in this way, each according to the extent of his capacity and the nature of his function, so that at the same time the praise of the success that accompanies our efforts can remain exclusively with God. The score that many conceive – that the one who has behaved valiantly, while leaving half of the praise to God, can take the other half for himself, deserves all condemnation. For God’s blessing should have the full share and exclusively hold the throne.
Now, if our earthly condition depends entirely on God’s good pleasure, with what wings will we fly to heaven? When a house is projected, or a certain way of life is chosen – yes, even when laws are promulgated and justice is administered, all this is nothing but crawling on the earth; and yet the Holy Spirit declares that all our efforts in this way are fruitless and worthless. The madness of those who strive to penetrate into the sky by their own power is therefore all the less difficult to bear. Further on, we can deduce from this doctrine, that it is not wonderful to find the state of the world today as troubled and confused as it actually is – justice on the run in the cities, husband and wife accusing each other, fathers and mothers complain about their children – in short, all mourn their own condition.
“They won’t be confused when they talk to enemies in the door.” Here, Solomon describes children who, distinguished by righteousness and integrity, do not hesitate to account for their lives, in order to close the mouths of the wicked and slanderers. In ancient times, as we know, judicial assemblies were held at the gates of cities. So he is talking here about the door, as if nowadays we should talk about the bench, or the courts, or the senate. Let us note that what is mainly praised in children is innocence, so that fathers can value this grace at its true value. In the previous clause, he had compared children endowed with the virtue and excellence of nature to arrows. Now, that no man can put a violent construction on this comparison, as if it were intended to give children permission, like thieves, to rush to harm those who are in their way, reckless of good and evil, it expressly represents virtue and moral integrity as constituting the protection they should grant to their fathers.
The following verses have been compiled for your edification and grouped together for your better understanding.
If the Lord does not build the house…:
· Human weakness, leads man to depend on God
2 Ch 20:12 O our God, will you not exercise your judgments over them? For we are powerless before this numerous multitude that is advancing against us, and we do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you. Ps 127:1 Song of degrees. From Solomon. If the Lord does not build the house, those who build it work in vain; If the Lord does not guard the city, the One who keeps it watches in vain. Jer 10:23 I know, O Lord! Man’s way is not in his power; It is not up to man, when he walks, to direct his steps. John 3:27 John answered: A man can only receive what has been given to him from heaven. Jn 15.5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who dwells in me and in whom I dwell bears much fruit, for without me you can do nothing. 2 Cor 3.5 This does not mean that we ourselves are capable of conceiving something as coming from ourselves. Our capacity, on the contrary, comes from God.
· Work in cooperation with God
1 Sam 14:45 The people said to Saul: What! Jonathan would die, he who carried out this great deliverance in Israel! Far from it! The Lord is alive! he will not fall to the ground a hair of his head, for it is with God that he acted in this day. Thus the people saved Jonathan, and he did not die. Mk 16:20 And they went to preach everywhere. The Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word with the miracles that accompanied it. 1 Cor 3:9 For we are workers with God. You are God’s field, God’s edifice. 2 Cor 6:1 Since we work with God, we exhort you not to receive God’s grace in vain.
· Gifts of God, temporal
Gen 1:29 And God said, Behold, I give you every grass bearing seed and which is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree having in it tree fruit and bearing seed: it will be your food. Dt 8:18 Remember Jehovah your God, for it is He who will give you strength to acquire them, in order to confirm, as He does today, His covenant which He swore to your fathers. Ps 127:2 In vain you rise in the morning, go to bed late, and eat the bread of sorrow; He gives as much to his loved ones while they sleep. Ps 136:25 He who gives food to all flesh, for his mercy lasts forever! Phil 4:19 And my God will provide for all your needs according to His richness, with glory, in Jesus Christ.
· Beatitudes, general examples
Ps 1:1 Blessed is the man who does not walk according to the counsel of the wicked, Who does not stop on the path of sinners, And who does not sit in the company of mockers, Ps 65:5 Blessed is he whom you choose and whom you admit in your presence, that he may dwell in your forecourt! We will be satisfied with the happiness of your house, with the holiness of your temple. Ps 112:1 Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who finds great pleasure in his commandments. Isa 32:20 Blessed are you who everywhere sow along the waters, and who leave the foot of the ox and the donkey unhindered! Jn 20:29 Because you saw me, you believed. Blessed are those who have not seen, and who have believed! Mt 11:6 Blessed is he for whom I will not be an opportunity to fall! Rev 22:7 And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book!
From all the above, we note that this psalm is still well suited to the captives coming up from Babylon, who during their journey must have in their thoughts the house and the city, enjoying again in advance the joys of home and family, when fruitful and prosperous in their own homeland, they would give, by their happiness, a triumphant response to all the mocking words of their arrogant adversaries. And it will be the experience of the residue in the near future when, in the midst of their trials, they receive the promises of the God of hope. The faithful confess here with sincerity and fervor that these blessings he hopes for, that all strength and blessing come from God alone, and that without Him, man’s work is nothing but vanity (Zech 4:6). But often (how often) the mind stirs when it should rest in peace. “Stand there, and see the deliverance of the Lord.” Car it is disbelief that produces the disorder. So did Jacob: he prayed when he should have rested on the promise (Gen 32). He fears, calculates, settles everything according to the wisest human counsel, whereas, heir to the blessing and possessor of the birthright, he should have trusted and remained quiet. In contrast, we see Peter in a completely different feeling. In the heart of the prison, between two soldiers, bound by chains, he sleeps, and sleeps so deeply, relying on the promise and sufficiency of divine resources, that the angel who comes to deliver him must strike his side to awaken him (Acts 12). And the true “Beloved” (the Blessed of the Lord) slept, when winds and waves tossed the barque (Mark 4). Ainsi, au Ps. 127, we see that it is the Lord who builds the house, who guards the city, who grants the ardently desired favor, many children, and that without him man works and watches in vain. Our prayers are with you all.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite every person who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me the following prayer:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I admit to having sinned against you and ask your forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as Lord and personal Savior. I recognize that you died on the cross of Calvary and rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me every day to the eternal life that you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal yourself to me and strengthen my heart and faith, so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me into your divine family, so that I may also contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
All adoration, power and glory are yours, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be happy to react to any questions and comments you may have, before sharing with you tomorrow “the newfound unity and brotherly love.”
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you abundantly.
David Feze, Servant of the Almighty God.