Sermons / October 5, 2025 // Psalm 127-128

Psalm 127-128 Sermon Notes Series: Psalms: Walking in the Way of Blessing Title: “Praise the Lord Because of His Goodness” 1.   Life apart from God is vanity (127:1-2) a)    The flourishing life is properly oriented to God  b)  God’s purposes stand (Ps. 33:11; Prov. 19:21; Isaiah 46:10); we are invited to participate in carrying his purposes forward c) Anxiety is vanity (127:2) Much of our anxiety is rooted in unbelief in the character and promises of God (Matthew 6:27, 33-34; Philippians 4:6-7) d) Sleep is a gift of God’s love (Psalm 4:8; Psalm 23) Point: The Christian life is to be marked by diligence, but not anxious or prideful striving to secure for oneself what God has already promised to give as an expression of his lovingkindness.  2.   The blessed ones enjoy lasting significance through children (127:3-5) a)    Children are an enduring gift of God’s grace b)    “reward” refers to God’s activity rather than something earned by human activity c) “arrow” - signifies a long-range, offensive weapon directed and propelled by the archer d)  Parents, specifically fathers, flourish as they carefully nurture and train their children to be sent out from their home, formed by the instruction of God. 3.   The blessed ones fear the LORD and walk in his ways (128:1-4)  a)   The fear of the LORD is the beginning of a flourishing life (1; Prov. 1:7) b)   Reverence for the LORD is expressed by obedience (1, Psalm 1:1-2; 119:1-2; the book of Proverbs)  c)  The blessed ones enjoy the fruit of their work (2, contrasted with 127:2) d) The blessed one’s family is blessed (3) e) God bestows divine favor (brk) on the one who fears and obeys him (2 Chron. 16:9) 4.   The blessed ones ask God for continued blessing (128:5-6)  a)   Blessing (barak) leads to flourishing (ashar) that expands outward from the individual, to the family, to the community, to the nation b)  Communal well-being (“peace” = shalom) is the emphasis, over individual Main Idea:  Those who trust and obey God are freed from anxious self-sufficiency and can expect God to gladly give them his good and perfect gifts, as he chooses, for his glory (James 1:7). Questions for discussion and application: 1.   How does Psalm 127:1 reorient you to your work (whether paid, volunteer, or in the home)? Is your work characterized more by anxious striving or by trust and joy?   2.   How is rest (along with sleep) evidence of God’s blessing? Why is it so important for God’s people to set limits on their work and to purposefully cease from their labor? What does this show about our ultimate hope?    3.   Spend some time meditating on the following passages: Psalm 33:11; Proverbs 19:21; Isaiah 46:10; Matthew 6:27, 33-34; Philippians 4:6-7. Ask God to help shepherd your heart to embrace his promises and trust him to care for you, your family, and our church.   4.   How is the family meant to extend God’s blessing to the broader community? Fathers, how do these psalms emphasize the importance of your role as a conduit of blessing for your wives and children? Are you being faithful to your call as husband and father, or are you pursuing other interests with more intention? If so, confess these and repent, trusting in God’s faithfulness to forgive and enable you (see 127:1).   5.   What are you trusting in to bring flourishing in your life? What do Psalm 1:1-2, Psalm 119:1-2, and Psalm 128:1 teach us about the way to a flourishing life? Is your life (in speech, attitude, and deeds) giving evidence that you fear the Lord? Use Psalm 128:6 to guide your own prayers for God’s blessing, personally and communally.