Unless the LORD Builds the House

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Psalm 127:1-5. Psalm 127 is a Song of degrees for Solomon. The Psalmist starts by saying, “Except the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain that build it: unless the LORD keeps the city, the watchman walks in vain.” If the LORD is not protecting the city, all the watchmen in the world can’t keep the city safe. When God is on our side we can be victorious in whatever duties we are given.

The Psalmist reminds us it is vain for us to wake up early and sit up late and to eat the bread of sorrows because He gives His beloved rest. Does this sound familiar? Have you ever found yourself working really hard, staying up late and getting up early, almost to the point of exhaustion? I sure have. It reminds me that we can work ourselves to death, but if the LORD isn’t in what we are doing, it’s all in vain.

If we can find rest in the LORD and trust Him to work on our behalf, to give us favor, we don’t have to overwork ourselves. That doesn’t mean we can be lazy and expect Him to take care of everything for us, but we can have peace and joy in Him while we work. I have to remind myself to do everything in moderation. We can do something good, but get it out of perspective and it becomes something bad or at least not good for us.

The Psalmist reminds us that children are a heritage of the LORD. The fruit of the womb is God’s reward. Children are a blessing from the LORD. The Psalmist declares that the man whose house is full of children is happy.

The Psalmist ends the Psalm by saying, “They are not ashamed, but they speak with the enemies at the gate.” If we rest in the LORD and put our complete faith and trust in Him we will be happy, not ashamed. We’ll be able to share with others the goodness of the LORD in our lives.

Daily Bible Reading:

Psalm 127:1-5

1 [[A Song of degrees for Solomon.]] 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.
2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.
5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

Things to think about:

Have you ever found yourself trying to do things in your own strength? If so, when?
How often do you seek the LORD for His input in your life?
In what ways do you count children as a heritage from the LORD?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this Scripture in Psalm 127 where the Psalmist reminds us to find rest in You. Help us LORD as we go about our daily lives, not to work in vain, but to seek Your face, Your help, and Your favor in whatever we do. Thank You for the children You have given us; help us to treasure them as a gift from You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except …

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the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

– Psalm 127:1

This is an excerpt from The Book of Psalms: Part 5 Chapters 120-150.

Click the link above to get your copy now!

For the study of Psalm 119 see my book: Psalm 119: Thy Word is a Lamp unto My Feet.

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The Book of Psalms: Part 5 Chapters 120-150
By Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:

The Book of Psalms: Part 5 Chapters 120-150 by Deborah H. Bateman is the 30th book in the Daily Bible Reading Series. The book of Psalms contains 150 chapters. Deborah divided The Book of Psalms into five books to make it easier to read and study. Each book contains approximately thirty chapters from the book of Psalms.

Psalm 119 has already been published in a book called: Psalm 119: Thy Word is a Lamp unto My Feet. The book of Psalms is one of Deborah’s favorite books of the Bible. It is a great book to read if you’re ever feeling down or need to renew your relationship with Christ. King David went through a lot of tough times in his lifetime, but he loved God and trusted God to protect him from his enemies.

The book of Psalms was written by various people. About half of it was attributed to King David, whether they were written by David or for David is questioned by some biblical scholars. Some of the Psalms were written by Asaph and some say they were written for the sons of Korah and even Moses and Solomon were writers of the Psalms. The Psalms consists of poetry that was primarily meant to be used as songs of praise to the Lord.

This part of the book of Psalms contains fifteen of the Songs of degrees. They were the songs or chants that the people of Israel sang as they journeyed to Jerusalem. It also contains some of the Psalms of David.

The Book of Psalms: Part 5 Chapters 120-150 contains thirty-eight Daily Bible Reading Lessons. Each lesson contains a brief commentary by the author, the Daily Bible Reading Scriptures, a few questions for contemplation or discussion, and a prayer of the day. It is a great Bible study for individuals or group studies.

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Recipe for Life

Unless the Lord Builds the House

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 2 Samuel 7:1-17. The LORD finally gave David a break from his enemies and he was settled in the palace. But something else began to play on David’s mind.

David expressed his concerns to Nathan, the prophet, saying that it concerned him that he lived in a house of cedar, but the ark of God was still in a tent. Nathan told David to do whatever was in his heart because God was with him.

That night the LORD spoke to Nathan and told him to go ask his servant David, “Shall you build me an house for me to dwell in?”

The LORD told Nathan that He hadn’t dwelt in a house since He brought the children of Israel out of Egypt. He had been moving from place to place with the people of Israel and had either dwelt in a tent or a tabernacle.

The LORD asked if He had ever asked any of the people who He appointed over Israel to build Him a house.

The LORD told Nathan to remind David that He took him from being a lowly shepherd over the sheep and made him to be king and rule over Israel. The LORD said He was with David everywhere he went. He protected David from his enemies. The LORD made a great name for David as great as any man on earth.

The LORD told Nathan that He would establish a place for His people Israel so they wouldn’t have to travel anymore. He would also keep their enemies at bay and wouldn’t let them bother them like they did in the past. Like He gave David rest from his enemies He would also give His people rest from their enemies. The LORD said He would build a house for David.

The LORD told Nathan to tell David when his days were over and he went to rest with his ancestors the LORD would build his kingdom. He would raise up David’s offspring to succeed him.

The LORD said he would build a house for him and He would establish his kingdom forever. He said that He would be his father and he would be His son. If he sinned He would punish him like a father did his son.

The LORD promised that His mercy wouldn’t depart from him as it did Saul. The LORD said his house and kingdom would be established forever.

Nathan shared with David the vision that the LORD gave him and everything the LORD told him.

David had dreams of building a house for the LORD, but David’s plan and God’s plan were different. If David would have gone on with his plan in spite of what God said his labor would have been in vain.

Psalm 127:1: [[A Song of degrees for Solomon.]] 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.

Can you imagine being able to communicate with God like Nathan and some of the other prophets did in the Old Testament?

Sometimes when I’m trying to figure something out I wish I could pick up the phone and call God to ask Him what to do. I pray about it, but sometimes still wonder what is the right thing to do. Does this ever happen to you?

Daily Bible Reading:

2 Samuel 7:1-17

1 And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the LORD had given him rest round about from all his enemies;
2 That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains.
3 And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in thine heart; for the LORD is with thee.
4 And it came to pass that night, that the word of the LORD came unto Nathan, saying,
5 Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the LORD, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in?
6 Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle.
7 In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house of cedar?
8 Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel:
9 And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth.
10 Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as beforetime,
11 And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house.
12 And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.
13 He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.
14 I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:
15 But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.
16 And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.
17 According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.

Things to think about:

What was David’s concern in this Scripture?

Who did David talk to about his concern?

How did the LORD relay the message to David about what was to take place?

What was the LORD’s promise to David?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this Scripture in 2 Samuel we see that David wanted to build You a dwelling place. You had honored David and He wanted to honor You. You blessed David for His commitment to You and Your people. Help us to be committed to doing Your will in our lives. Bless us for our service to You and Your people. Help us to spread the good news of Your gospel around the world. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Christian Music Video: Psalm 127 “Unless the Lord Builds the House”

PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Come back again tomorrow. Please invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

Featured Book:

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The Book of Zechariah: A Story of Dreams and Visions

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About the book:

The Book of Zechariah: A Story of Dreams and Visions is a Daily Bible Reading study by Deborah H. Bateman. It is a study of Zechariah from the Old Testament of the Bible. Zechariah was a prophet during Old Testament times. He tells of eight dreams or visions he has where the LORD communicates with him.

In the beginning of the book the LORD is beckoning His people to return to Him and He will return to them. The dreams that Zechariah has are dreams that are pertinent to his day as well as dreams about the future.

The Book of Zechariah: A Story of Dreams and visions contains twenty-two Daily Bible Reading Lessons that take you through the entire book of Zechariah. Each lesson contains a commentary by the author, the Scriptures for Daily Bible Reading, a few questions for contemplation called “Things to think about,” and a Prayer for the Day. It is a great book for individual or group Bible studies.

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