Psalm 127
by Pastor David Groendyk

Who would’ve thought that the psalms could be this practical? Psalm 127 should hit home for everyone as it deals with the most foundational elements of life—work (vv. 1–2) and family (vv. 3–5). Both of these sections ultimately convey the same big point, that all of our labors and toil are useless unless the Lord blesses it.

Verses 1–2 teach us that we must trust God to bless any and all of our work. This is a very challenging word to us as Americans. We are used to being taught the American dream, to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps, and to make something of ourselves. Scripture is quite counter-cultural here: hard work will get you nowhere. We do not get anywhere in life merely by trying harder and putting in more effort. You can’t do it yourself. The Lord must bless it. Waking up early and going to bed late do not automatically result in success. Trust the Lord, pray that he blesses your work, and recognize his sovereignty by taking a nap sometimes. That being said, only ever waiting for God to do everything for you is called laziness in Scripture. Diligence and hard work are good. As one writer writes, summing up this balance between diligence and trust, “Work without trust is self-sufficiency; trust without work is presumption.” Which of those is your tendency—self-sufficiency or presumption? How can you grow in both your diligence and dependence on God?

Verses 3–5 are also quite a counter-cultural message for us: children are a gift of the Lord, and it is good to fill your house with them. Children nowadays are often seen as commodities or assets that we can take or leave depending solely on the plan we have for our lives. God’s plan is to fill the earth with images of himself and his glory through child-bearing. That’s been his plan ever since the Garden of Eden (see Gen. 1:27–28). Parenthood is a great responsibility, and potential parents should count the cost before starting a family, but the Lord sets the standard here that it is good and right to seek to fill your quiver with these arrows from the Lord. Do you see children as a gift or heritage? How does this challenge your view of having and raising children?

Those challenges being noted, also notice how both of these sections in this psalm relate back to Genesis 3, immediately following the first sin of Adam and Eve. Do you remember God’s punishments? After Satan is cursed, both work and child-bearing are cursed as well due to Adam and Eve’s rebellion against God (Gen. 3:16–19). Child-bearing is meant to be painful, and work is meant to be a struggle. Hence, all of the agony and heartbreak that we experience now in both of these areas is a direct result of sin entering the world. From unjustly losing work to the grief of miscarriage and inability to conceive, almost everyone has experienced the tragedy of the brokenness of this world. Both Genesis 3 and Psalm 127 urge us to turn our eyes to God. He is the one who satisfies our needs, he is the one who provides hope, and he is the one in whom we live and move and have our being. He is the ultimate builder, watchman, heritage, and life-giver. One day, every curse will be reversed, and every evil will be made right. Yes, we grieve the brokenness now, but it should drive us to put our trust in the Promised Son who crushes the serpent underfoot and rose from the dead that death itself might die. Sin and brokenness do not have the final word, and there is unending blessing and joy available for all who look to Christ for salvation.