The Book of Psalms

Psalm 127

Psalm CXXVII · Vol. II, p. 1071

1 The vanity of human endeavours without God's blessing. 3 Children are God's gift.

Margin referencesNotes ↓

^aA song of degrees for Solomon.¹

1 Except ^bthe LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

B.C. cir. 1015.

a Ps.lxxii. cxx.-cxxxiv. titles.

1 Or, of Solomon.

b Ps.33.16,17; 121.3-5. Pr.16.9; 20.24; 21.31. Ec.9.11. 1 Co.3.6,7. Je.5.10; 10.23.

2 It is vain for you to ^crise up early, to sit up late, to eat ^dthe bread of sorrows; for ^eso he giveth his beloved sleep.

c Ps.104.23. Pr.31.15,18. Ec.9.10,11.

d Ge.3.17,19. Ec.5.17. 1 Ki.22.27.

e Ps.4.8. Eze.34.25. De.33.12.

3 Lo,^g children are an heritage of the LORD; and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

g Ge.33.5. 1 Sa.2.5; 30.2. Jos.24.3,4. De.28.4. Is.53.10,11.

4 As^h arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.

h Je.50.9. 1 Ch.12.2.

5 Happyⁱ is the man that hath his quiver full of² them: they^j shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak³ with the enemies in the gate.

i Job 1.2. Ps.128.3-6. Is.49.20,21.

2 Heb. hath filled his quiver with.

j Pr.27.11. Job 5.4.

3 Or, shall subdue, as Ps.18.47.

Notes

Ver. 2. So. 'Surely' (Horne). The affections of God's children are set upon things above; and though not free from sorrow or anxiety, they are always able to cast their cares upon him that careth for them, 1 Pe. 5. 7. Therefore, while the world waketh, God's beloved sleep; yea, in hours of deepest calamity he sends them the repose that a purified conscience can alone confer. Argyle slept in calm composure the night before his martyrdom: his chief persecutor saw it, and never forgot this miracle of grace. C.

Reflections.—The less we depend upon our own schemes, or lean to our own understanding, and the more we look up to God for help and direction, the better shall we prosper. The most prudent projects and plans, the most anxious cares, and the most toilsome labours, are all to no purpose without God's blessing. But happy in their rest, and happier in their dutiful children, are they whom he blesses!