Wisdom for Building House and Home
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Psalms 127
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Responding to Suffering and Sowing With Tears
In his sermon on Psalms 123–126, Stephen Davey explains how weary believers can respond to contempt, find confidence in God’s protection, and persevere in sowing gospel truth. Psalm 123 shows travelers overwhelmed by scorn, yet lifting their eyes to the God enthroned in heaven, whose authority outweighs every insult. Psalm 124 celebrates Israel’s deliverance and reminds believers that their help—not their skill or strength—comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth. Psalm 125 assures God’s people that, like mountains surrounding Jerusalem, the Lord surrounds and secures His own even when wicked rulers seem to prevail. Psalm 126 encourages believers to keep sowing truth with tears, knowing God will one day turn weeping into joyful harvest.
Songs for Those Who Are Traveling Home
In his sermon on Psalms 120–122, Stephen Davey explains that these opening “Songs of Ascent” were sung by Israelites traveling uphill to Jerusalem, reminding them that God—not the city itself—was their true destination. Psalm 120 expresses the believer’s longing to leave a deceitful, hostile world and move toward God in worship. Psalm 121 reassures travelers that their help comes not from the hills with their dangers and idols, but from the Lord who never sleeps, guards every step, and stands so close His presence casts a protective shadow. Psalm 122 then celebrates the joy of gathering with fellow worshipers in Jerusalem and anticipates the future reign of Christ, the promised Son of David, whose rule will finally bring lasting peace. Davey concludes that these psalms encourage weary believers to keep traveling toward God with confidence in His protection, presence, and coming kingdom.
Four Ways to Treat God's Word
In his sermon on Psalm 119 (Part 2), Stephen Davey highlights four questions the psalmist raises about how believers should treat God’s Word: Do you love it, memorize it, understand it, and apply it? He explains that loving Scripture reveals love for its Author, while memorizing it stores truth in the heart to guard against sin. Understanding the Word requires humility, as the psalmist prays for God to “open my eyes” by exposing blind spots and sin. Applying Scripture means letting it function as a lamp that gives just enough light for each obedient step. Davey concludes that God’s Word is the divine blueprint for building a straight, strong life—and it must be treasured, studied, and obeyed daily.
The Power and Protection of God's Word
In his sermon on Psalm 119 (Part 1), Stephen Davey explains that the psalmist uses 176 verses and eight different Hebrew synonyms—listed on page 4—to emphasize the essential power and protection of God’s Word. Davey shows how the carefully structured acrostic poem urges believers to study, memorize, and obey Scripture, describing it as the “supervisor” that guides every detail of life. Through verses like 9, 23, 63, and 67 (page 2), he highlights that God’s Word guards purity, gives wisdom during opposition, shapes friendships, and even uses affliction to draw wandering hearts back to the Shepherd. The psalmist ends with a humble confession in verses 175–176 (page 3), admitting his tendency to stray and pleading for God to keep him close. Davey concludes that Scripture is God’s transformative tool, and that passionate devotion to it anchors believers in every season of life.
Portraits of Our Redeemer
In his sermon on Psalms 115–118, Stephen Davey explains that Psalm 115 calls believers to give God all the glory, even when taunted by a watching world, because idols are powerless but “our God is in the heavens; He does all that He pleases.” Psalm 116 becomes deeply personal as the psalmist—possibly King Hezekiah—testifies that God heard his desperate prayer during a life-threatening crisis and that such faith should be shared publicly. Psalm 117, the shortest psalm, serves as a global evangelistic invitation, calling all nations to worship the Lord for His steadfast love. Psalm 118 then celebrates God’s covenant faithfulness and includes the prophetic declaration that “the stone the builders rejected” would become the cornerstone—a truth Jesus Himself likely sang with His disciples before going to Gethsemane. Together these psalms portray our Redeemer as powerful, compassionate, faithful, and worthy of worldwide praise.
Studying God's Works and Submitting to God's Will
In his sermon on Psalms 111–114, Stephen Davey explains that Psalm 111 celebrates God’s marvelous works—from creation’s wonders like electric eels, migratory birds, and intricate design (noted on page 1) to His acts of redemption—calling believers to study and delight in them. Psalm 112 then shifts to describe the kind of person who fears the Lord, someone whose heart remains steady even in “bad news” (page 2) because he trusts God’s sovereignty. Psalm 113, likely sung at Jewish festivals and perhaps by Jesus and His disciples before His arrest, highlights God’s compassionate care as He stoops to lift the needy and the barren, just as He cared for Hannah. Finally, Psalm 114 recalls Israel’s exodus, the Red Sea, the Jordan River, and Sinai, showing how creation itself obeys God’s commands. Davey concludes that, like the seas and mountains, believers should study God’s works and submit joyfully to His will.
Lord, High Priest, and Coming King
In his sermon on Psalms 107–110, Stephen Davey explains how these psalms celebrate God’s covenant faithfulness, His deliverance in every kind of crisis, and His ultimate rule through Christ. Psalm 107 shows a repeated pattern—crisis, cry, comfort, and confession—reminding believers that God responds when His people call. Psalm 108 highlights that God’s Word never goes out of date, as David reuses earlier lyrics to reaffirm timeless truth. Psalm 109 expresses David’s plea for justice when falsely accused, teaching believers to entrust their reputation to the Lord rather than seek revenge. Psalm 110 then reveals Jesus as King, eternal High Priest, and future Conqueror, the One who will rule from Zion and triumph over every enemy.
Created, Directed, and Remembered by God
In his sermon on Psalms 104–106, Stephen Davey explains how creation, Israel’s history, and God’s covenant faithfulness all call believers to worship and obedience. Psalm 104 magnifies God’s greatness displayed in creation—seen both in the vastness of galaxies and, as the image on page 1 shows, the intricate detail of life—reminding believers that the Creator cares even for the hidden wild donkey in the desert. Psalm 105 traces God’s faithful works for Israel, from His covenant with Abraham to Joseph’s suffering in prison, showing that God’s promises are always fulfilled and often prepare His people through hardship. Psalm 106 then recounts Israel’s repeated failures but highlights God’s mercy—He “remembered His covenant” and rescued them again and again. Davey concludes that while people often forget God, God never forgets His people, and such faithfulness should move believers to gratitude, trust, and obedience.
Convictions and Daily Encouragement
In his sermon on Psalms 101–103, Stephen Davey explains how David’s convictions, the psalmist’s despair, and the call to remember God’s blessings provide a pathway to daily courage and spiritual stability. Psalm 101 records David’s nine “I will” commitments, showing that real conviction must shape private life as much as public leadership. Psalm 102 shifts to an anonymous sufferer who feels overwhelmed and alone, yet finds hope by remembering God’s eternal throne and turning his attention toward helping others in need. Psalm 103 then calls believers to fight spiritual amnesia by recalling God’s benefits—His forgiveness, compassion, and healing of the soul’s deepest discouragements. Together, these psalms show that convictions, prayer, and gratitude steady the heart in seasons of despair.
The Original Thanksgiving Hymn
In his sermon on Psalm 100, Stephen Davey explains how this psalm—uniquely labeled “A Psalm for giving thanks”—teaches believers both how to give thanks to God and why. The psalm opens with three commands describing how to express gratitude: make a joyful noise, lifting thankful voices even when circumstances are dark; serve the Lord with gladness, choosing a grateful attitude as an act of obedience rather than emotion; and come into His presence with singing, remembering that believers have access to the Father because they are held by the hand of His Son. Davey then turns to the reasons for thanksgiving: who God is—the only true God, good, unchanging in His steadfast love, and faithful to every generation—and what God has done—creating each of us intentionally, designing both our strengths and weaknesses, and claiming us as the sheep of His pasture. Gratitude grows when we accept God’s design and depend on His care. Davey concludes with a warning from a parable: discouragement cannot take root in a grateful heart. Because anxiety, pride, bitterness, and materialism cannot coexist with true thankfulness, Psalm 100 calls believers to a supernatural, Spirit-enabled choice—to rejoice, serve gladly, sing boldly, and practice gratitude that shines like light in a dark world.