A song for the ascent to Jerusalem. A psalm of Solomon.
1 Unless the LORD builds a house, the work of the builders is useless. Unless the LORD protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good.
2 It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.
3 Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him.
4 Children born to a young man are like sharp arrows in a warrior's hands.
5 How happy is the man whose quiver is full of them! He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates.
This Psalm of Solomon is filled with God's wisdom. Verses 1 & 2 are full of comparisons. Sometimes it's helpful to make a side by side list of the opposites.
Our side, apart from God would be; useless work (2x) and anxious work. On the opposite side of the list, God's work would be; building, protecting, and giving rest.
We are told in the NKJV that our work apart from God's is "vain." The Hebrew meaning of the word vain is desolating and destructive. It's more than just foolishness to try to make or own way, it's destructive to our lives. Seek the Lord, He is our builder, protector and our rest!
Verses 3 - 5 extol the virtues of one's children. Deuteronomy 28;2,4 tells us that children are one of God's blessings to the obedient. Enjoy your blessings from the LORD!
Lord, help me to invest my time in Your building projects in my life. help me to trust in Your protection and provision, ceasing to fret. And thank you Lord for the great blessing of my children!
