EGW WritingsPsalms 127

God’s Amazing Grace

In the Home, October 7

AG 288.1

Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it. Psalm 127:1.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Lt 132, 1898

13LtMs, Lt 132, 1898, par. 21

I heard the songs of children and of parents, “Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it. Except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waiteth but in vain.” “Praise ye the Lord; praise the Lord, O my soul. While I live, I will praise the Lord. I will sing praises unto my God while I have my being. Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.” “Praise ye the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights. Praise ye him all his angels; praise ye him all his hosts. Praise ye him sun and moon. Praise him, all the stars of light.” [Psalm 127:1; 146:1-3; 148:1-3.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Ms 3, 1899

14LtMs, Ms 3, 1899, par. 31

All this has been presented before me as a panoramic view. I saw workmen building humble houses of worship. Those newly come to the faith were helping with willing hands, and those who had means were assisting with their means. In the basement of the church, above ground, a schoolroom was prepared for the children. Teachers were selected to go to this place. The numbers in the school were not large, but it was a happy beginning. I heard the songs of children and of parents, “Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it. Except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.” “Praise ye the Lord; praise the Lord, O my soul. While I live will I praise the Lord. I will sing praises unto my God while I have my being.” [Psalm 127:1; 146:1, 2.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Lt 120, 1900

15LtMs, Lt 120, 1900, par. 12

True and abiding happiness can never be derived from any human being. We may have special, select friends, that all unperceived and unacknowledged by us, we place in the heart where God should be, and we can never perfect a round, full Christian experience until every earthly support is removed, and the soul centers its entire affections about God. “Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it; except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.” [Psalm 127:1.]

Gospel Workers (1915 ed.)

Houses of Worship

GW 435.1

The need for a meeting-house where there is a newly formed company of believers, has been presented before me in a panoramic view. I saw workmen building humble houses of worship. Those newly come to the faith were helping with willing hands, and those who had means were assisting with their means. In the basement of the church, above ground, a schoolroom was prepared for the children, and a teacher was sent there to take charge. The numbers in the school were not large, but it was a happy beginning. I heard the songs of children and of parents: “Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that built it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.” “Praise ye the Lord. Praise the Lord, O my soul. While I live will I praise the Lord: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.” [Psalm 127:1; 146:1, 2.]

Letters to Young Lovers

“Except the Lord Build the House” Psalm 127:1

“Except the Lord Build the House” Psalm 127:1

Reflecting Christ

Fathers to Lead Children to Religious Light, June 10

RC 175.1

Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it. Psalm 127:1.

Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6

Chapter 10—Children’s Meetings and Church Schools

6T 109.1

“Praise ye the Lord from the heavens:
Praise Him in the heights.
Praise ye Him, all His angels:
Praise ye Him, all His hosts.
Praise ye Him, sun and moon:
Praise Him, all ye stars of light.” Psalm 127:1; 146:1-3; Psalm 148:1-3.

The Faith I Live By

Let God Control, September 5

FLB 254.1

Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. Psalm 127:1.

The Upward Look

Make Home a Bit of Heaven, May 29

UL 163.1

Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. Psalm 127:1.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)

Ms 29, 1890

6LtMs, Ms 29, 1890, par. 13

Said my Guide to those in these councils, “Who of the men among you have felt the burden of the cause from the first and have accepted responsibilities under trying circumstances? Who has carried the burden of the work during the years of its existence? Who has practiced self-denial and self-sacrifice? The Lord made a place for His staunch servants, whose voices have been heard in warning. He carried forward His work before any of you put your hands to it, and He can and will find a place for the truth you would suppress. In The American Sentinel has been published the truth for this time. Take heed what you do. ‘Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.’ [Psalm 127:1.]”

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)

Lt 6, 1894

9LtMs, Lt 6, 1894, par. 9

True and abiding happiness can never be derived from any human being. We may have special, select friends that, all unperceived and unacknowledged by us, we place in the heart where God should be, and we can never perfect a round, full, Christian experience until every earthly support is removed, and the soul centers its entire affections about God. “Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.” [Psalm 127:1.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 21 (1906)

Ms 59, 1906

21LtMs, Ms 59, 1906, par. 5

The wickedness of the world has reached a point where the Lord will certainly interfere. Psalms 119, 126, 127 were presented and read in the assembly. The voice speaking was earnest. The assembly was large. The Lord will certainly arise to punish the wickedness that is so bold and defiant against His holy law. The forbearance of God has been very great—so great that when we consider the continuous insult to the Lord’s holy commandments, we marvel. These words were repeated: “The Lord is slow to anger, and of great power, and will not at all acquit the wicked. The Lord hath His way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and in the bowels of the earth, and the clouds wherewith He hides Himself.” [See Nahum 1:3.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 7 (1891-1892)

Lt 41, 1892

7LtMs, Lt 41, 1892, par. 10

Servants of God have been in attendance. They needed rest of mind, they needed sleep. “For so he giveth his beloved sleep” [Psalm 127:2], but the unfeeling, hard manner of some on the committee who were destitute of the love and spirit of Christ, has distressed and burdened the burden-bearers until they have been nearly crushed to death. They have wept and prayed, and carried a load of anxiety. Now, my brother, I have been shown of the Lord that He does not require sacrifice in this line. Life is too precious in His sight to be imperilled in this way. When things are in this order, you cannot cure them. Leave the load on the Lord and wait.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Ms 183, 1898

13LtMs, Ms 183, 1898, par. 67

Friday about ten o’clock a.m. Brother Tucker breathed his last. He passed away peacefully without a struggle. Good is the Lord, to let this dear saint pass away so gently. “He giveth his beloved sleep.” [Psalm 127:2.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Ms 130, 1903

18LtMs, Ms 130, 1903, par. 10

“And so He giveth His beloved sleep.” [Psalm 127:2.] Look at the face of the Saviour, so careworn, yet so peaceful. There is upon it no trace of sin, save the weariness that the sins of others have caused. Love, mercy, purity, goodness are there revealed. Heavenly nobility is there. Soon that dear face was to be marred by the cruelty of those for whom the Son of God came to give His life. Soon the Saviour was to hang on the cross, revealing to the world, to angels, and to men the unspeakable love of God.

Reflecting Christ

The Bible Is the Voice of God to Families, June 17

RC 182.1

Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord. Psalm 127:3.

The Upward Look

Children Are God’s Property, October 15

UL 302.1

Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruits of the womb is his reward. Psalm 127:3.