Thought for the Week
Trust and Hope in the LORD
Psalm 127 is at the heart of the Songs of Ascent from chapters 120 to 134 and was believed to be sung by Hebrxew pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem and is one of many Psalms that demonstrate prayer and trust (compare, ch’s 121, 124, 130, and 133). Psalm 127 is linked by the overarching theme of God’s authority, as it says in verse 1, “Unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.” The work we conduct in our lives, whether we protect, provide, or strengthen others around us, God is the greater power, guarding us and our efforts. In the first two verses, we are reminded three times that our works are in “vain” unless they are protected by the LORD, however, does this mean that no matter what we do, our works are meaningless?
Matthew 5 verse 16 gives us our answer, “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” This tells us that works are a critical part of living in the truth, but the key part of this verse is to “give glory” in what we do. The point Solomon was making was that we shouldn’t put our trust in the “guards” or man, we are to give glory to God in our works and put our hope in Him alone.
No matter what we do, or where we are, the LORD is the one who makes things come to pass. We can praise him in Songs of Ascent as He holds every aspect of our lives in His hands!
WEEKLY READING
Psalm 127
1 Unless the Lord builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord 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 toil;
for he gives to his beloved sleep.
3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
the fruit of the womb a reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of 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 in the gate.
God gives rest to His loved ones.
— Psalm 127:2
