Wisdom PsalmsSample

Psalm 127 is known as a Psalm of Ascent, which simply means it was written during a time of travel, and sung by the community of Israel as they journeyed together to the feasts throughout the year. The psalmist here shares the idea of being built upon the Lord.

This song opens by saying, “unless the Lord builds the house…” then says, “unless the Lord watches over the city…” and shares that, without God, it is in vain (Psalm 127:1). The idea here is clear: without God, our work is done in vain. A similar message is given in the book of Ecclesiastes, as Solomon described “all is vanity” if God isn’t in it. We should build our life on God because, without Him, nothing else matters. Jesus is considered the cornerstone to be built upon, and we are admonished to make Him the foundation of our lives.

The idea of building is expanded to include the idea of building our families, when the psalmist asserts that children are a gift from God and a blessing. Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it.” As we build our families, or support children in our community, we can receive the words of Scripture as confirmation that children are a blessing from God, and we should be diligent to train them in the ways of the Lord. Even if you do not have children of your own, God delights in giving us spiritual families and spiritual children in discipleship. We can declare God’s Word in discipleship to those younger in age or younger in the faith, whether blood-related or not.

1. In what ways would you say God is your foundation?
2. Do you have children or spiritual children that you are pouring into? If so, what does that look like? If not, how can you be intentional in discipleship this year?

Prayer: God, thank you for being my firm foundation. Thank you for the blessings you give to us through children.