Except the Lord Build Blacko Tower

I was privileged last weekend to visit Blacko Tower. It sits on private property, but the landowner had kindly agreed to let me see it, and offered the added bonus of going up it. The OS describes it as Stansfield Tower, named after the gentleman who built it in 1890. In 1950, an inscription was placed in its wall, and refers to Psalm 127:1:

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.

Towers have always been a symbol of strength, from Babel to London; from the walls of Constantinople to the towering skyscrapers of Manhattan, boasting that place’s economic power. Yet towers crumble and collapse; they may be captured or deserted. Planes may fly into them and the enemy which attacks them may one day defend them. Human strength, power and brilliance are all fickle and fallible; in summary, we labour in vain. Contrast this with Proverbs 18 verse 10:

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.