Psalms 127
DortThis Psalm teacheth, that all welfare and prosperity cometh from the blessing of the LORD, both in Cities and Families, and that good children are a blessing of God.
1. A song, (or hymn) Hamaaloth [See Psalms 120:1.] of Solomon [i.e. endited by Solomon. Otherwise for Solomon i.e. endited by David, for an instruction of his son Solomon: so likewise, Psal.72.1.] If the LORD do not build the house, [understand here by the building and keeping of the house or the city, not onely the material frame thereof, but also the state and government, both particular or personal, and general over whole Kingdoms, Countries and Cities, Churchs and Congregation] in vain do the builders thereof labour at it: if the LORD do not keep the city, in vain watcheth the watchman.
2. It is in vain [Without Gods blessing upon you] that ye rise up early [viz. To work or labour] sit up late, [Hebr. Sit, viz. At work to get your living] at the bread of painfulness: [i.e. course bread, or bread gotten with much carking toil and labour. See the Annot. 1 King.22.on v.27. Otherwise, bread of sorrows] it is so that he [viz. God] giveth it to his beloved, [it should seem that David had a special regard here to Solomon, who 2 Sam.12.25. is called Jedid-Jah, i.e. the beloved of the LORD] (as in) the sheep: [others he giveth sleep to his beloved, or as if he had said; it is not all the care and toil in the world can avail ought, if God do not bless a man. But he that is beloved and blessed of him that shall have enough, and sleep quietly without disturbance, commending himself and his after their task and labour ended, unto God, for his blessing.]
3. Behold, children are an inheritance of the LORD; [i.e. blessing given by the LORD, as Job 20:29. Isaiah 54:17. Psalms 61:6.] the fruit of the belly [i.e. children] is a reward. [viz. Freely given by the LORD. A reward is sometimes given, as due for desert or service performed, as Gen.30.28. Numb.18.31. Sometimes of meer grace and favour, Rom.4.4. such as God giveth to his own servants, Gen.15.1. Isa.62.11.]
4. Like as the arrows are in the hand of a Champion, [The meaning is, even as a strong and valiant man, shouting his arrows upon his enemy, doth wound and destroy the same; so are children which are well bred a good help and assistance to their parents against the enemies of the same] such are the sons of the youth. [those viz. Which are begotten in the flower of their parents age. For commonly, such children are of a more vigorous disposition, then others are, and they are sooner able to succour and relieve their Parents. Thus are such called the sons of age, which are born to aged Parents, Gen.37.3.]
5. Right happy is the man, that hath filled his quiver with the same; [i.e. that hath his house filled with such children] they shall not be ashamed, [i.e. they shall not be afraid of, or daunted by their adversaries, so as not to defend their righteous cause, appearing before the Judge as followeth] when they are to speak with the enemies in the gate. [i.e. when they have any cause to plead, or, in debate before the Judges, whose seat was usually, in teh Gates of the City. See the Annotations, Genes.34.20.]