Thy Strong Word — Psalm 127. Keep praying saints: Unless the LORD builds the house.

Rev. Steven Theiss, vacancy pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Wells, MO joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study and pray Psalm 127.

“Unless the Lord builds it…” reminds us that everything is a gift from the LORD. Solomon understood that the LORD wanted the temple to be built and He was in control. This understanding extends to our families as we see the gift of children as a heritage of the LORD. In our culture we can get caught downplaying the gift of the family, but God fills us with the joy of children (our own or others) as a blessing to all of us. “Lord God, help us to rest in Your promises and to see every child as a blessing from You. Forgive us for trusting in ourselves and only seeing the burdens of others. Lord have mercy. Amen”

Thy Strong Word reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations.

Thy Strong Word is hosted by Rev. Brady Finnern, pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in Sartell, MN, and graciously underwritten by the Lutheran Heritage Foundation.

Psalm 127

Unless the Lord Builds the House

A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.

127 Unless the Lord builds the house,
    those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
    the watchman stays awake in vain.
²It is in vain that you rise up early
    and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
    for he gives to his beloved sleep.

³Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
    the fruit of the womb a reward.
⁴Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
    are the children^[a] of one’s youth.
⁵Blessed is the man
    who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame
    when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.^[b]

Footnotes

Psalm 127:4 Or sons
Psalm 127:5 Or They shall not be put to shame when they speak with their enemies in the gate

Rev. Brady Finnern

Rev. Brady Finnern, host of Thy Strong Word. is an expert in all things Minnesota, including hiking the great mountains of the 5th flattest state in the Union and making his own maple syrup. Although chow mein, fried ice cream, and Peanut Persian donuts with maple frosting are at the top of his foodie list, his prized possessions include his gas station refillable fountain soda cup (which, he says, the savings will pay for college for his 4 kids). Pastor Finnern's Divine Call is as President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and in addition he also enjoys traveling, coaching track, and movie nights with his wife and kids that may or may not include Shawshank Redemption or any of the Thriller movies. When he's not singing his favorite hymns or listening to his favorite metal music, you might find him working out or taking naps. (Probably naps.)