Psalms 127 Unless the Lord Builds the House

The theme of this psalm, that human enterprises only succeed by the divine blessing, was probably associated with the building of the temple by solomon, its author. It may have been adopted in this view, as suited to this series especially, as appropriately expressing the sentiments of God's worshippers in relation to the erection of the second temple

¹Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. ²It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep. ³Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. ⁴As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. ⁵Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate. Psalms 127:1-5 · KJV

1,2

suggest the view of the theme given.

2

so he giveth his beloved sleep — that is, His providential care gives sleep which no efforts of ours can otherwise procure, and this is a reason for trust as to other things (compare Mt 6:26-32).

3-5

Posterity is often represented as a blessing from God (Ge 30:2, 18; 1Sa 1:19, 20). Children are represented as the defenders (arrows) of their parents in war, and in litigation.

5

adversaries in the gate — or place of public business (compare Job 5:4; Ps 69:12).