The Strand Study Bible

PSALMS PSALMS This entire Psalm, which was probably written sometime after the Babylonian captivity c. 536 BC (When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion – Ezra 1:1-3), had its beginning c. 700 BC when the Lord promised both Israel and Judah that theywould never be forgotten (Isa 44:21–45:4). Step seven – Get studying! 127:1 The 8th step to ascending to where God abides and where liberty abounds is to “look twice” before you build (get it right; Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain ). This Psalm is composed of two independent thoughts, linked together by a common underlying theme – house building. Except we include the LORD in our homes, all we have are houses. It is not enough for social reformers to take a site, cut it up, and build on it ideal buildings. Just ask the people who live in the Projects. Although they have been given adequate housing, they live their lives in constant fear, as they experience unbelievable waves of crimes. Why? Because secular services are not enough. If the LORD isn’t involved spiritually ( Except the LORD build the house ), it won’t matter where you build physically ( they labor in vain that build it ). The most ornate edifices in the world don’t stand a chance if they’re located in a city that God’s not watching over ( except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain ). Step eight – Get it right! THE ADAGE IS TRUE: How you build your home is where you’ll build your home (Jere 35) NOTE – Useless is the house, if God is not its Builder. The Psalmist here made four observations concerning the home: 1. Houses that become homes must begin with the right pillar (vs. 1) The right foundation ( pillar ) is complete trust in what God (the Author of the home) says a marriage and a home should be ( Gen 2:24 ). God stated from the beginning that a marriage and a home should be made up of a man and his wife, not a man and his wives ( I Sam 1:2 , II Sam 5:13 and I Ki 11:1-3). 2. Houses that become homes must begin with the right purpose (vs 1) Though a watchman stays awake and remains alert along the walls of his city and though, like the constant vigilance of a sentinel, he faithfully notifies the inhabitants within his city against any and all outside intruders, still it is not enough to save the city. Why? Because more cities, homes, and nations have fallen from within than from without. Unless the unseen watchman (the LORD Himself ) is allowed to oversee the behavior of the inhabitants within the city, those who walk its walls to protect it from outside invaders do it in vain. Our aim should be to protect the home first ( right purpose ), not the homeland. Infidelity (II Sam 11), wrong acquaintances (II Sam 13:1-3 and I Cor 15:33), and misguided values are but a few of the enemies within a home. 3. Houses that become homes must begin with the right priorities (vs 2) Though providing for one’s family is important, whenever the sole ambition and goal of one’s life is to “make money,” then itis not hard to get up early, stay up late, and neglect one’s own family. One’s values ( right ppriorities ) should always be more important than one’s valuables. Money isn’t everything. In fact, money can buy a house, but not a home; a bed but not sleep; sex but not love; a clock but not time; food but not an appetite; a book but not knowledge; a position but not respect; insurance but not safety; medicine but not health; blood but not life. Misplaced priorities always lead to ruin in the end (Mt 16:26). 4. Houses that become homes must begin with the right perspective (vs 3-5) Children are assets ( right perspective - Gen 33:5), not liabilities. 128:4 The 9th step to ascending to where God abides and where liberty abounds is to “look to be holy” (get happy; thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord ). THE ADAGE IS TRUE: No one is ever truly happy ( thus shall the man be blessed ) till he is truly holy ( that feareth the Lord ) The Interpreter’s Bible notes: 922 Sadly, there are those who confuse happiness with pleasure and think it may be found by the immediate satisfaction of the senses. However, this is not the happiness (blessedness) spoken of in the Bible. Happiness, according to God, comes from holiness (yielding to the One who is holy – Heb 12:14a , b ). Step nine – Get happy! 129:1 The 10th step to ascending to where God abides and where liberty abounds is to pause and “look back” at the succession of afflictions which Israel has suffered in the course of her history, and yet by God’s grace continues to prevail (get excited; reflect; Many a time ). Though Israel has been plowed under by many different foes (vs 3), she herself keeps on plowing because the LORD is righteous (vs 4), that is, He keeps His word concerning Israel (Gen 12:1-3 and Zech 12-14). Like the Church, Israel is an anvil which has worn out many a hammers ( Zech 1: 18- 21 ). Step ten – Get excited! 130:1 The 11th step to ascending to where God abides and where liberty abounds is to “keep looking up;” to stop beating yourself up over past sins so you can move forward for God (get forgiveness; Out of the depths ). In order to go forward, you can’t keep looking back (Lk 9:57-62 and I I Sam 12: 1- 13 ); you must learn to accept the forgiveness you are seeking ( Job 42:6,7a ). NOTE – As humans we’re going to fail ( I have sinned against the LORD ). It’s ok to fail ( I Jn 1:8,9a , b ). What’s not ok is to justify our failure. David was always quick to repent and to ask for forgiveness once he was confronted with his sin. No wonder God always felt comfortable using David… he “kept looking up;” he understood forgiveness ( Lk 17: 1- 3 ). Step eleven – Get forgivness! 131:3 The twelfth step to ascending to where God abides and where liberty abounds is to “not look around” at what others are saying about you (get free of criticism; hope in the Lord ). NOTE – Because of jealousy, King Saul eyed David (I Sam 18:9) and accused him of being proud ( my heart is not haughty – vs 1) and disloyal ( nor mine eyes lofty – vs 1). Sometimes what people say about us is true (II Sam 12:1-7,13-14), and sometimes it’s not (I Sam 18:5,12-15,30/Psa 131). Whether what others are saying about us is true or not, it should never distract us from serving the Lord and doing God’s will (Jere 20:7-13). Step twelve – Get free of criticism! In every generation men find it necessary to consider afresh the meaning of life. The results have been varied, and the end is not yet in sight. Many have maintained that the chief end of man is to find happiness, but there has been much difference of opinion as to what happiness is and how and where it is to be found. 4