One important thing we can do for our mental and physical health is to sleep. Experts say that we need seven to eight hours of sleep a night. Matthew Walker, author of Why We Sleep, maintains that when we reduce the amount of sleep we get, we become less productive, not as happy, and more susceptible to diseases. Often, we don’t sleep well because we’re anxious or stressed. We worry about our work, sustenance, and safety. But, like Jesus told us not to worry about such things because our heavenly Father will provide for us (Matthew 6:25–34), Solomon gives the same advice in Psalm 127.

Now, it’s not that we should do nothing at all. It’s good to design the house we live in and employ skilled builders. It’s good to lock our doors and have burglar alarms. It’s good to work hard to earn a salary to buy what we need. Yet, all these works can ultimately succeed only by the will and power of God. Knowing God is in control means we can relax, trusting that “he grants sleep to those he loves” (Psalm 127:2). For me, every night I will check that the doors of our house are locked, and in the morning I will pray, “Thank You, Lord, that You kept me safe from all evil and danger last night.”

At first glance, it might appear that Psalm 127 is talking about two unrelated issues—first, how all that we accomplish is ultimately God’s work and under His control (vv. 1–2); second, how children are a blessing to us (vv. 3–5). But the two issues are closely related.

In what ways does the Lord build a house or protect and feed its inhabitants? One way is through blessing the family with children. While a husband and wife may desire children, it’s the Lord who gives life. Sometimes the Lord does not grant couples the blessing of children.

Like the psalmist, the apostle James warns against making plans without recognising God’s sovereignty. Rather, we should say, “If it is the Lord’s will” (James 4:15). Depending on God to provide all we need—this is the wise advice of Psalm 127.