The instruction given in this Psalm, entitled, “A Song of Degrees of or for Solomon,” is most striking.
(vs. 1) “Except the LORD build the house, they labor in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.” What house had more divine instructions as to it, and more preparations for its building, than the temple which Solomon built? We read of David’s plan which he had received by the Spirit (1 Chron. 28:11-1211Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch, and of the houses thereof, and of the treasuries thereof, and of the upper chambers thereof, and of the inner parlors thereof, and of the place of the mercy seat, 12And the pattern of all that he had by the spirit, of the courts of the house of the Lord, and of all the chambers round about, of the treasuries of the house of God, and of the treasuries of the dedicated things: (1 Chronicles 28:11‑12)), which he gave to Solomon, and of the material which he had prepared for it, of which he says, “The LORD made me understand in writing by His hand upon me.” It reminds us of what was said to Moses as to the tabernacle, “See, saith He, that thou make all things according to the pattern showed to thee in the mount.”
Do not we learn from this that the pattern and all the material were prepared under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and that though Solomon was a chosen vessel to build the house, yet it was possible for self to enter in and the building not be acceptable to the Lord? In the chapter mentioned in 1 Chronicles, he is told to serve the God of his father with a perfect heart and with a willing mind, for the Lord searched all the hearts and understood all thoughts. This should be a warning for those who would attempt to overturn existing companies and make them over. All such attempts will be in vain if there is no subjection to His Word as a whole-not merely taking up some part of it. It is well to bear in mind the Lord’s answer to Satan in Matt. 4:77Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. (Matthew 4:7), “It is written again.” What bearing does some other portion of His Word have on the proposition which has been broached? “There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand” (Pro. 19:2121There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand. (Proverbs 19:21)).
Solomon in his later years departed from the Lord, as we learn in 1 Kings 11, and had to learn from the Lord that the kingdom was to be divided; his wives turned his heart away after other gods. He introduced afresh into Israel that which ended in the judgment of God in the removing of Israel from the land of promise and scattering them among the nations. This brought about the destruction of this very house. In prayer at its dedication, Solomon referred to Deuteronomy 12, and claimed the promise, “My name shall be there.” We learn from 2 Chron. 36:1919And they burnt the house of God, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem, and burnt all the palaces thereof with fire, and destroyed all the goodly vessels thereof. (2 Chronicles 36:19) that the Chaldeans “burnt the house of God” to fulfill the word of the Lord at the mouth of Jeremiah, which was the sad result of departure from the Lord.
One can understand how important it would be to have this Psalm inserted here for the returning captives with visions and thoughts of the house and the city that should be built for the Lord.
(vs. 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.”
“For so He giveth His beloved sleep” is in contrast to the worry of man over his projects when things are not going to suit him.
If the principles of Psalm 127 had been heeded by the builders in Christendom, both great and small, there would not be the confusion that exists today. Has there not been much use of the “untempered mortar” (Ezek. 13:10-1610Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace; and one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered mortar: 11Say unto them which daub it with untempered mortar, that it shall fall: there shall be an overflowing shower; and ye, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall rend it. 12Lo, when the wall is fallen, shall it not be said unto you, Where is the daubing wherewith ye have daubed it? 13Therefore thus saith the Lord God; I will even rend it with a stormy wind in my fury; and there shall be an overflowing shower in mine anger, and great hailstones in my fury to consume it. 14So will I break down the wall that ye have daubed with untempered mortar, and bring it down to the ground, so that the foundation thereof shall be discovered, and it shall fall, and ye shall be consumed in the midst thereof: and ye shall know that I am the Lord. 15Thus will I accomplish my wrath upon the wall, and upon them that have daubed it with untempered mortar, and will say unto you, The wall is no more, neither they that daubed it; 16To wit, the prophets of Israel which prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and which see visions of peace for her, and there is no peace, saith the Lord God. (Ezekiel 13:10‑16))?
The Apostle Paul in Acts 20:29-3029For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. (Acts 20:29‑30) says, “For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” There are two characters of builders here. The “wolves” have just a mere profession; they really have no part or lot in the matter. Then there are those who are really children of God, but the Lord is not their true Object-they are not true shepherds. Their own interests come first, and their desire is to build up a following. Jude 1212These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; (Jude 12) and 13 tells us something of some of these builders.
In 1 Corinthians 3 we learn of the material that some of these builders introduced into the house; material which, while it makes a great showing here, would not stand the test of that day when all is reviewed by the Lord.
In 2 Timothy 2 we learn something of the results of these builders. A “great house” has been built. It is no doubt much larger than the foundation which the “wise master builder had laid.” The great house contains vessels of various materials – some to honor and some to dishonor. That which is called the house of God in 1 Tim. 3:1515But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. (1 Timothy 3:15), is now likened to a “great house” (2 Tim. 2:2020But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor. (2 Timothy 2:20)). A man is told to purge himself from the vessels of dishonor and he “shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” He is told to “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call upon the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Tim. 2:2222Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (2 Timothy 2:22)).
In 1 Corinthians 3 we have the “wise master builder” who has laid the foundation. Then we have the exhortations to the builders; every man is to take heed how he builds. The good builder will take heed to the foundation that has been laid and also to the material that he uses. The bad workman will have his own interests before him and will introduce false materials, evidently to make a great showing in the eyes of man; but these materials will not stand the test of the fire in that day (1 Cor. 3:12-1512Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. (1 Corinthians 3:12‑15)). The Lord has given us how every man’s work shall be tested in that day in order that it might search and exercise our hearts now; and it is very searching to realize that in that day all of that which we may have thought commendable will be burned up, though we ourselves may be saved, yet so as by fire. There may be a mixture in our lives-some things done for Him which will be of the nature of gold, silver, and precious stones, which will stand the test, and some things in which self has entered in and will not stand the test. The Lord alone will be the Judge of what the proportions really are in our lives.
In 1 Cor. 10:2121Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. (1 Corinthians 10:21) we read of the “Lord’s Table” and the “table of demons.” Here we have the Apostle contrasting that which the Spirit of God set up, with the false worship of the heathen—that which man, led on by Satan, set up before Christianity appeared. This brings before us something which is almost entirely overlooked in Christendom; i.e., the identification of the worshiper with the table at which he partakes. The Apostle shows this principle had been true of Israel of old by their being partakers of the altar at which they ate. But the Apostle is not here speaking of the tables set up by the man speaking perverse things, or the bad workman of 1 Corinthians 3. Neither is he referring to those he mentions in 1 Tim. 1:19, 2019Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: 20Of whom is Hymeneus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme. (1 Timothy 1:19‑20), who have overthrown faith and a good conscience. In the days of the apostles the bad workmen were not permitted to go this far in their mixture of good and bad workmanship. This was spoken of as that which was to come afterward.
Could anyone dare to say that this mixture of bad and good which could not be classed as the table of demons must be the table of the Lord? Why then the call to purge oneself from the vessels of dishonor? Do we not have here that which the bad workman introduces to make the great house which ends in Babylon? In Revelation 18, Babylon is announced as becoming the habitation of devils. God’s people are exhorted to come out of her and not be partaker of her sins. Historically, the fall of Babylon takes place after the true Church has been translated, so it would seem that none of His people of this dispensation would be in her at that time. It may possibly be that in the time of the tribulation, some of the remnant may have been attracted by her false pretensions and gone in only to find out her true character later. The exhortation then would be to God’s people throughout the ages, so that whenever the Babylonish traits were discerned, there should be a coming out of her. This would be for us when the state has assumed the great house character of 2 Tim. 2:2020But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor. (2 Timothy 2:20), but for the remnant of the future day in Israel, it will be whenever those Babylonish traits are manifested and especially when she publicly endorses the antichrist and his idolatry (2 Thess. 2:8-128And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thessalonians 2:8‑12)).
In Laodicea the church is filled with pride at its human institutions, but is characterized as “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” It has lost the sense of what the Lord values. It is not called upon as a body to repent; but His own who are there, whom He loves, He rebukes and chastens. Why? Is it not that they may hear the voice of the One who is outside but who is knocking at the door of the heart of the individual? What an appeal: “If any man hear My voice.” His desire is to have communion with every one of His own. What would be the result of individuals hearing His voice and supping with Him? Would not this very fact unite all together around Himself?
From the above, we see that the Lord expects His own to have discernment as to being in a false position. Perhaps He may have to rebuke or chasten us in order for us to see it, especially so when our eyes are upon self, man, or some other object than Himself.
In the epistle to the Hebrews, often called the book of contrasts, we have the new position of those who are the Lord’s, contrasted with what had formerly been their portion before Christ came. Now, owing to His rejection, such ground is set aside by Him, as Shiloh of old had been. These contrasts lead up to the last chapter, where the Lord is seen as gone forth outside the camp. Evidently this is an allusion to what was done in Exodus 33 when Moses caused the tabernacle to be set up outside the camp on account of idolatry being introduced there. Here in Hebrews the Jews are looked at as having introduced human traditions which ended in rejecting the Lord when He came to His own (John 1:1111He came unto his own, and his own received him not. (John 1:11)). He is looked upon as gone outside (Heb. 13:12-1312Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. 13Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. (Hebrews 13:12‑13)). Are we not to learn from this that that which man introduces, corrupts that which had been set up originally by the Lord, so that when there is no power within to deal with it, it finally becomes necessary to leave it and go forth unto Him outside the camp where He is?
At Corinth the Apostle has to tell them that they are carnal-that they were unable to discern the deceitful workers and the false apostles from the true. In 2 Cor. 10:3-53For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; (2 Corinthians 10:3‑5) we have the secret of discernment; namely, the casting down of reasonings and then bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. How careful it should make one in what he may feel led to put forth, that it may not be simply something of the restless spirit of man within – using untempered mortar. Long ago one wrote, “Every Christian, however simple, can watch the spirit in which friends hold and set out their views” (G.V.W.).
The latter part of Psalm 127 speaks of millennial blessing, and the Scriptures abound in the promised blessings for that day. They flow out freely when the Lord has been given His rightful place in the midst of His people-when His house has been built in dependence upon Himself.
(vs. 5) “They shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.”
Also of the promise to Philadelphia: “Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee” (Rev. 3:99Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. (Revelation 3:9)).
The prophets, Haggai and Zechariah, after the return of the remnant, had to stir up the people when their interest lagged. They showed them that they could not expect blessing in seeking their own personal things while the Lord’s house stood idle. Our blessings are not earthly, but spiritual; but they flow out from the same One whose desire has ever been to dwell in the midst of His redeemed people (Exod. 15:1717Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O Lord, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established. (Exodus 15:17); Matt. 18:2020For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20)).