Friday, August 30 – Psalms 111, 127

1. For how long does the psalmist say the commandments of the Lord are established? Psalms 111:7-8.

2. Who should build the house and guard the city? Psalms 127:1.

3. What are children to parents? Psalms 127:3.

Commentary and Reflection:

Lessons from Psalm 111:

1. The revelation of God in His nature is not evident to the casual observer. The details of this revelation must be explored and discovered through diligent study just as a miner digs the earth to uncover its riches, so the works of God offer their treasures to anyone willing to seek them.
2. God has left a memorial of His wonderful works on the Sabbath (v.4). When giving Israel His holy Law at Sinai, He highlighted the Sabbath by placing it at the heart of the Decalogue. When Jesus walked among men, He left the best example of how to observe this commemorative monument, observing it and doing good for suffering humanity.
3. The same God who fed His people in the desert with manna from heaven is the same who provides for those who fear Him today (v.5).
4. God’s works, as revealed in His commandments, are trustworthy and firmly established. The word “truth” in verse 7 comes from the Hebrew word “Amán,” from which the word “Amen” derives. The commandments remain firm and forever, and they are unchangeable. Verse 8 reaffirms the truth that these commandments are established forever and ever. The Lord has immutable principles by which He governs the entire universe.
5. God’s name is Holy and awesome. His holiness makes Him a unique being. As a theologian has said, “He is the Completely Other.”
6. Finally, David and his son Solomon emphasize that the beginning of wisdom is in the “reverential fear of God” (v.10). This does not emphasize that we should be afraid or terrified of God, but rather to revere Him.

Psalm 127 is a beautiful psalm of Solomon, recited on special occasions like a wedding ceremony or in reflections on a family whose foundation is God. He must be the Supreme Counselor.

It would be vanity or folly to try to build a home without the fear of the Lord. Doing our work without seeking divine blessing and direction is also in vain.

The adage “Man proposes, but God disposes” is well-known and accurate. The first two verses of this psalm affirm this. The psalmist reiterates that everything comes from God.

“If the Lord does not build the house, they labor in vain who build it; If the Lord does not guard the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.” This powerful declaration from the wise man tells us that with God, we have everything, but without Him, nothing.

“It is vain for you to rise early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for so He gives His beloved sleep.” This song’s first stanza shows the futility of attempting any enterprise unless we have God’s blessing in our plans.

Verse 2 describes those anxious individuals who, despite their efforts, do not obtain the joy that comes from God and live in constant anxiety. They work day and night to get material things and do not rest while sleeping because they think everything depends on their efforts. Such an attitude does not recognize that God is the Giver of all. On the contrary, God’s children rest in a calm dependence on God. On the other hand, this does not mean we should fall into the other extreme of doing nothing. The text accuses those constantly anxious about failing to trust the Lord.

The second stanza of the poem (verses 3-5) acknowledges that children are a heritage from the Lord and, as such, are a gift from God to be taught in the fear of the Lord. Children are a great source of joy for parents. Parents are blessed to have children who, in situations where defending the honor of their parents before their enemies at the city gate, will do so.

Family planning is appropriate; we must be aware that having many children brings both burdens and rewards.

Peace to all.