Bible Study Notes 10/21/2025

WORD ALIVE! BIBLE STUDY ^©2025

Journey in the Psalms: Prayer, Praise and Promise

Concord Baptist Church of Boston in Milton – Conley Hughes, Jr., Senior Pastor

Quiet Time: Tracy M. Summer, Psalms: An All-In-One Study on God’s Song Book

Lesson 26

21 Oct.  2025

Lesson 26, Psalm 127:1-5, NLT: The five short verses of Psalm 127 are compelling and insightful. There are two themes in this psalm. One is the futility of human labor, effort, and knowledge, which is absent of God’s guidance. While success can be attained by many people; all success is not attributed to God’s leading or approval.  The freewill we are given does not always prevent us from some adverse consequences of the decisions we make or what we may attain. The psalmist is explicit in reminding us “Except” the Lord is involved in what we do, our efforts inevitably will become futile. No freewill could ever prevent the consequences of our actions. The positive message in verses 1-2, is the faithful have the protection and guidance of God when we seek and obey Him. In Psalm 44:4-5), one of the sons of Korah acknowledged: “You are my King and my God. You command victories for Israel. Only by your power can we push back our enemies; only in your name can we trample our foes.” (NLT). The Second message of Psalm 127, is to respect, honor, and protect children. The child is more than an offspring of the parents, but is “a gift” from God. Young boys were expected to safeguard the family in the absence of the father. For some of the boys, it meant encountering physical abuse by their fathers. The fathers are warned that parenting involves compassion and love for the child, and instructing the children with the values found in the Scriptures. Only this practice could bless the family!

Verses & Explanations for Psalm 127:1-5, NLT:

Observe         Interpret         Apply

(Verse 1) – When the Lord builds and safeguards.

(Verse 2) – Human will and strength alone is futile.

(Verse 3) – The rewards of an emerging generation.  

(Verses 4-5) – The strength and integrity in parenting a future generation. 

Key Verses:

Psalm 127:1, NLT

¹ “Unless the Lord builds the house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good.

Psalm 127:2, NLT

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.

Psalm 127:3, NLT

 ³ Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from Him.

Psalm 127:4-5, NLT

 ⁴ Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior’s hands. ⁵ How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them! He will not be put to shame when He confronts his accusers at the gates.”

Further Helpful Verses:

Ecclesiastes 2:11, NLT

¹¹ “But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless – like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile.” 

Ephesians 2:8-9, NLT

⁸ God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift of God. ⁹ Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.”

 Ephesians 6:4, NLT

 ⁴ “Fathers do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.”The Key Idea:

What We Believe!    

1. “Your word is a lamp to my feet  and a light to my path!”—Psalm 119:105