Psalm 127 (1928 BCP)
Psalm 127 (1928 BCP) is a Song of Ascents in the Psalter of the Book of Common Prayer (1928). Its six verses join the household, the city, daily labour, rest, and children under one confession: human work is real and necessary, yet its good issue is God's gift. In the 1928 Prayer Book it is appointed at Evening Prayer on the twenty-seventh day of the month.[1]
Prayer Book Text
EXCEPT the LORD build the house, * their labour is but lost that build it. Except the LORD keep the city, * the watchman waketh but in vain.
It is but lost labour that ye haste to rise up early, and so late take rest, and eat the bread of carefulness; * for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
Lo, children, and the fruit of the womb, * are an heritage and gift that cometh of the LORD. Like as the arrows in the hand of the giant, * even so are the young children. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them; * they shall not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.
The Prayer Book's wording places building and guarding side by side. Neither the builder nor the watchman is mocked for doing his office; rather, the Psalm denies that skill, vigilance, or anxiety can secure what only the Lord can give. Verse 2 therefore contrasts exhausting self-reliance with the sleep given to God's beloved. Verses 3–6 do not turn children into possessions: they name them an inheritance and gift from the Lord, and picture a household strengthened for public life at the city gate.
Scripture and Anglican Reading
The Psalm's account of creaturely work accords with the apostolic confession that every house finally depends upon God:
For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.
This is not a warrant for idleness. John Calvin reads the Psalm as a rebuke to presumption precisely while preserving the goodness of vocation:
He does not, however, reject either the labor, the enterprises, or the counsels of men; for it is a praiseworthy virtue diligently to discharge the duties of our office.
Calvin's distinction helps the Psalm be heard in public as well as domestic prayer. Building, governing, keeping watch, earning bread, and raising children remain callings; the Psalm turns each calling into dependence, gratitude, and prayer rather than a claim of mastery.
Christ and the Church
Augustine offered an influential Christian reading of the house and city, while keeping the Psalm's central assertion intact. He connects the Lord's building with Christ's work in the Church:
The Lord, therefore, builds the house, the Lord Jesus Christ builds His own house. Many toil in building: but, except He build, their labour is but lost that build it.
For Augustine, this did not erase human ministry. Preachers and pastors labour as servants, but the inward gift of faith and growth belongs to the Lord. That theological interpretation makes Psalm 127 suitable for the Church's corporate prayer: ministry is diligent and accountable, yet never self-grounding.
He likewise applies the watchman image to pastoral oversight without confusing a minister's vigilance with God's perfect keeping:
We are watchful on our guard, but vain in our watchfulness, except He who sees your thoughts guard you.
The Psalm is thus neither an excuse for anxious striving nor a promise that faithful people will be spared all labour. Prayed in the Daily Office, it trains a congregation to work faithfully, rest gratefully, receive children as God's gift, and commend household, city, and Church to the Lord who alone gives their labour its lasting fruit.
Liturgical Use
Psalm 127 appears in the 1928 Psalter's monthly cycle at Evening Prayer on the twenty-seventh day. Its placement lets the Church pray a biblical wisdom psalm as common prayer, not merely as private counsel. Its sequence after Psalm 126 and before Psalm 128 also preserves the Songs of Ascents' movement from restoration and dependence to the blessedness of those who fear the Lord.[9]
See Also
External Links
- Psalm 127 in the 1928 Book of Common Prayer
- Augustine, Exposition on Psalm 127
- Calvin, commentary on Psalm 127:1–2
References
- ↑ The Protestant Episcopal Church, The Book of Common Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments and Other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church (New York: The Church Pension Fund, 1928), Psalter, Psalm 127, Nisi Dominus, pp. 345–528; Psalm 127 in the 1928 BCP Psalter.
- ↑ The Protestant Episcopal Church, The Book of Common Prayer (New York: The Church Pension Fund, 1928), Psalter, Psalm 127:1, Nisi Dominus; Psalm 127 in the 1928 BCP Psalter.
- ↑ The Protestant Episcopal Church, The Book of Common Prayer (New York: The Church Pension Fund, 1928), Psalter, Psalm 127:2, Nisi Dominus; Psalm 127 in the 1928 BCP Psalter.
- ↑ The Protestant Episcopal Church, The Book of Common Prayer (New York: The Church Pension Fund, 1928), Psalter, Psalm 127:3–6, Nisi Dominus; Psalm 127 in the 1928 BCP Psalter.
- ↑ The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version (Cambridge: University Press, 1769), Hebrews 3:4; Bible Gateway, Hebrews 3:4, KJV.
- ↑ John Calvin, Commentary on the Book of Psalms, vol. 5, trans. James Anderson (Edinburgh: Calvin Translation Society, 1849), commentary on Psalm 127:1–2; Christian Classics Ethereal Library edition.
- ↑ Augustine of Hippo, Exposition on Psalm 127, §1, trans. J. E. Tweed, in Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, first series, vol. 8, ed. Philip Schaff (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1888); New Advent transcription.
- ↑ Augustine of Hippo, Exposition on Psalm 127, §2, trans. J. E. Tweed, in Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, first series, vol. 8, ed. Philip Schaff (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1888); New Advent transcription.
- ↑ The Protestant Episcopal Church, The Book of Common Prayer (New York: The Church Pension Fund, 1928), Psalter, Psalms 126–128 and the heading “The Twenty-seventh Day. Evening Prayer”; 1928 BCP Psalms 126–128.