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What does Psalm chapter 127 verses 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 mean in the Bible? Unless the LORD builds the house

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What does psalm chapter 127 verses 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 mean in the Bible?

Psalm chapter 127 covers two themes: The first theme is all about involving God in all the labors and pursuits of your life; otherwise, failure is guaranteed. In short, before embarking on doing anything, you must first pause and ask yourself this important question: IS GOD IN IT? If He is not, then just drop it; otherwise, all your efforts and resources will simply go to waste!

The second theme of Psalm 127 is about children being a gift from God and their value to parents.

So, let us get into the lesson.

What is the meaning of Psalm chapter 127 verse 1?

Psalm 127:1 says:

“Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.” (NKJV)

Here, the scripture talks of ‘building the house’ and ‘guarding a city.’ These two words relate to all the labors and pursuits that characterize our lives, such as career choice, where to live, marriage partner choice, investment decisions, among others.

Therefore, the scripture implies that, if we are to succeed in the said labors and pursuits, we must involve God at the very beginning in order to know whether or not He supports that particular pursuit. Failure to do so will simply invite trouble in the whole undertaking, leading to its failure.

In other words, we should never come to that space where we think that we are smart enough to figure it out all by ourselves. In fact, this is what is called pride. Which is acting, believing, and thinking that you know it all and do not need any input from God.

Which is why Psalm 3:5-6 warns against leaning on your own understanding. Here is what the scripture says:

“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.” (NKJV)

As we have already seen, Psalm 127:1 has clearly taught us that God is the sole determinant of whether or not we succeed in labors and pursuits. In other words, our success is never dependent on our level of education, our efforts, our finances, our intelligence, or the position we hold in society, among other things. Instead, everything is decided upon by God! That is, it is only His counsel that stands. Here are some scriptures to drive this point home:

Psalm 33:16-19, which says:

“No king is saved by the multitude of an army; a mighty man is not delivered by great strength. A horse is a vain hope for safety; neither shall it deliver any by its great strength. Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy. To deliver their soul from death and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield.” (NKJV)

Proverbs 16:9, which says:

“A man’s heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.” (NKJV)

Proverbs 19:21, which says:

“There are many plans in a man’s heart; nevertheless, the LORD’S counsel—that will stand.” (NKJV)

Proverbs 21:30-31, which says:

“There is no wisdom, understanding, or counsel against the LORD. The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but deliverance is of the LORD.” (NKJV)

Ecclesiastes 9:11, which says:

“I returned and saw under the sun that—the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to men of understanding, nor favor to men of skill; but time and chance happen to them all.” (NKJV)

John 15:

“I am the vine; you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without me you can do nothing.” (NKJV)

All the preceding scriptures agree with Psalm 127:1 in stating that God is supreme in everything, and therefore, nothing can happen without being sanctioned by Him.

What is the meaning of Psalm chapter 127 verse 2?

Psalm 127:2 says:

“It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for so He gives His beloved sleep.” (NKJV)

This verse talks about the vanity of life on earth with all its endless toiling and striving. World-over, life is full of labor day in, day out, year in, year out, where nobody is spared. Both the rich and the poor are caught up in this vicious cycle or rat race, with no one seeming to get satisfied. In spite of this, those who walk under the grace of God will always retire to a good night’s sleep after a hard day’s work.

The theme carried in Psalm 127:2 is reinforced in the following scriptures:

Psalm 3:5, which says:

“I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustained me.” (NKJV)

Psalm 4:8, which says:

“I will both lie down in peace and sleep, for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.” (NKJV)

Ecclesiastes 1:14, which says:

“I have seen all the works that are done under the sun, and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind.” (NKJV)

Ecclesiastes 2:11, which says:

“Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done and on the labor in which I had toiled, and indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun.” (NKJV)

Ecclesiastes 4:8, which says:

“There is one alone, without companion; he has neither son nor brother. Yet there is no end to all his labors, nor is his eye satisfied with riches. But he never asks, ‘For whom do I toil and deprive myself of good? This is also vanity and a grave misfortune. (NKJV)

Ecclesiastes 5:12, which says:

“The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eats little or much; but the abundance of the rich will not permit him to sleep.” (NKJV)

Ecclesiastes 6:7, which says:

“All the labor of man is for his mouth, and yet the soul is not satisfied.” (NKJV)

What is the meaning of Psalm chapter 127 verse 3?

Psalm 127:3 says:

“Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD; the fruit of the womb is a reward.” (NKJV)

This scripture teaches that one’s children are a gift from God. Because of this, parents are obligated to value their children and take good care of them.

If you are yet to have children, it simply implies that your time is coming. So you should not despair. Your not having children does not necessarily mean that something is wrong with you or God is angry at you. It is very unfortunate that some people are teaching that lack of children is a sign that someone is cursed or has sinned against God. While this may be true to some extent, it is not always the case. So, wait on the LORD; in His appointed time, He will surely visit you, just like He did visit Sarah (Genesis 21:1-3), Rebekah (Genesis 25:21), and Elizabeth (Luke 1:36).

Genesis 21:1-3 says:

“And the LORD visited Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah as He had spoken. For Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.” (NKJV)

Genesis 25:21 says:

“Now Isaac pleaded with the LORD for his wife, because she was barren, and the LORD granted his plea, and Rebekah, his wife, conceived.” (NKJV)

Luke 1:36 says:

“Now indeed, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.” (NKJV)

So, wait on the LORD, and He will indeed visit you at the set time, and you shall also glorify Him, just like Sarah, Rebekah, and Elizabeth did.

What is the meaning of Psalm chapter 127 verses 4 and 5?

Psalm 127:4-5 says:

“Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; they shall not be ashamed but shall speak with their enemies in the gate.” (NKJV)

This verse compares children born during one’s prime years to arrows in the hand of a warrior. We know that a warrior uses a bow to shoot arrows towards the enemy. In short, the children of one’s youth are meant to defend him from the enemy. This is why Psalm 127:5 declares the more the number of arrows in your quiver, the better for you. This is because they will contend with the enemies in the gate.

Similar sentiments are echoed in Proverbs 17:6, which says:

“Children’s children are the crown of old men, and the glory of children is their father.” (NKJV)

I hope the lesson has been helpful. Thank you.

Related Post: What does Psalm 3 verses 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 mean in the Bible | Lessons for us?

Also Read: What does Psalm chapter 4 verses 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 mean in the Bible | Scripture study lessons

Prayer to get born again

Are you willing to become born again? Say the following prayer sincerely:

“Lord Jesus, I confess that I am a sinner and hereby ask for your forgiveness.

I believe in my heart and confess with my mouth that you are the only begotten Son of the living God.

I believe that you were sent by your Father to the earth to save sinners like me.

I believe that you died and resurrected in order for me to receive eternal life.

I now accept you as my personal Lord and Savior.

Come into my heart and baptize me with the Holy Spirit.

Thank you for saving me.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,

Amen!”

Congratulations, friend! You are now a born-again Christian!

Welcome to the family of God!

Source: https://www.biblegateway.com/

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