Psalm 127 offers two strong images in its opening verses: the building of a house and the guarding of a walled city. We typically associate those activities with human agents: houses with human builders and city walls with human guards. The Psalm, however, points to the agency of God as the essential actor and notes that unless God is involved vanity will result. Vanity is a potent word in the Wisdom tradition of the Bible. In the words of Ecclesiastes, vanity is “meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” In more contemporary language, this musical setting has translated the phrase to “all of it comes to nothing.”

 

An expanded version of this song with a responsorial chanted setting of the rest of Psalm 127 was first published in Psalms for All Seasons 127B.

Paul Detterman is currently the Executive Director of Presbyterians for Renewal and the Fellowship of Presbyterians. He has his bachelor’s degree in Sacred Music from Illinois Wesleyan University, a Master of Church Music from Concordia University and a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from Boston University School of Theology. Detterman is a composer of choral, solo, handbells, and organ music. He has served the Church as a Director of Music and a Pastor, and is a frequent preacher, worship leader, and conference/retreat speaker. He has published numerous works on worship, and was a contributing consultant for Lift Up Your Hearts.