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Did The Lord Build Your House?

Psalms 120-131

Before I get into my comments, let me again share with you some insight from J. Vernon McGee’s commentary “Thru The Bible”.

McGee, J. V. (1997). Thru the Bible commentary (electronic ed.). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

“This brings us to a new series in the Book of Psalms, a package of fifteen psalms (120–134), each called “A song of degrees” in our Bibles. What we have here is, as Martin Luther translated it, “the gradual psalms, songs of the higher choir.” An outstanding Hebrew scholar has translated it, “Songs of the pilgrim caravans” or “on the homeward marches.” These fifteen psalms were traveling songs, and I think they were used in two different ways. When the captives returned from Babylon, they sang them on the way to Jerusalem. This same use of the term “going up” is used in Ezra 7:9, which says, “For upon the first day of the first month began he [that is, Ezra] to go up from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month came he to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him.” This verse is speaking of Ezra’s “going up” from Babylon to Jerusalem. However the most common use of these psalms was during the three times each year when they went, as God had commanded, up to Jerusalem to worship. God had required the males to go; and, when they went, they took their families along. As they started to Jerusalem from all over the civilized world—they were scattered at this time—they would sing these psalms. One day it would be one of the psalms, the next day another psalm; and as they came closer and higher, as they approached Jerusalem, they continued to sing them until they came to the final psalm, 134, when they would be standing in the sanctuary of the Lord singing His praises. This is the reason they are called songs of degrees or ascents and songs of the pilgrim caravans. You will recall that we have one incident, recorded by Dr. Luke, in the life of the Lord Jesus between the time of His virgin birth and the beginning of His ministry at the age of thirty years. The Lord, who was then twelve years old, went with His parents to Jerusalem to celebrate one of the feasts. A day’s journey from Jerusalem, all of the caravans would meet so that they could go to Jerusalem together. It was a time of fellowship, of renewing friendships, talking over old times, and telling others how things were going. Then they would journey together to Jerusalem, singing these psalms. The place where the caravans met is still pretty well known today, and it was one day’s journey out of Jerusalem. When the feast was over, the parents of the Lord Jesus found He was missing, and they had to return to the city to look for Him. The account is found in Luke 2:41–50.

Now you may be wondering if we can be sure these psalms were used this way. Yes, Psalm 122:3–4 gives us this information: “Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together: Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the Lord.” Yes, they were sung three times during the year—at the Feasts of Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles—as they traveled toward Jerusalem to return thanks to God, to worship Him, and to offer sacrifices.

There is a spiritual meaning in these fifteen psalms. It is interesting that many writers of the Talmud pointed out the fact that life is like this—it is an ascent. We come to God as sinners who are away from Him, separated, and alienated. We come to Him for salvation, and having come for salvation, we go on to sanctification as we grow in grace and in the knowledge of Christ; it is a constant going up. We are to be climbing in a spiritual way. My friend, you and I ought to be farther along today than we were last year.”

I hope you enjoy learning about how the Psalms were put together and used.  I know I do.  The verses that grabbed my attention today are from the 127^th Psalm.

Psalm 127:1-2

“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.
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.”

You know, you and I can rush and work and struggle to build a better life and all of that effort can be for naught.  I’m not suggesting that we shouldn’t work hard.  Hard work has its own reward.  My point is that without the blessing of God in it, the work is meaningless.  God placed man on earth and told him to take dominion over the place.  God placed us here to work the earth as His stewards.  We were made for work.  The question is, who do you work for?  If you work for yourself, you are on your own.  If you work for Him, what have you to fear?

Do you remember the words of Jesus?

Matthew 6:31-34

“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.  But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.   “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

You see, job one is to seek God and His kingdom.  We are to seek His righteousness, then our labors will not be in vain.  All that you build in life must be built on the solid foundation of Jesus Christ.  Jesus is the corner stone.  As the song “Solid Rock” says:

“My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.?

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand.”

Jesus Christ is indeed the solid Rock.  All other ground is worthless.  Brothers, build on Christ.  Build your home, your family, your career, your friendships on Christ.  Your efforts to build your life on your own efforts and strength will come to nothing.  Start with the Rock!

Have a righteous day brothers!

Your brother and servant in Christ,

Bill

Dying to self, living to serve!