Psalms 127 - Introduction

Man's labour is vain without God's blessing; and His blessing comes to those whom He loves they know not how (Psalms 127:1-2). A numerous family of sons is one of His special blessings: it secures for the father influence and respect (Psalms 127:3-5). The point in the first half of the Psalm is man's dependence upon God; in the second half it is the advantage of a family: and the looseness of the connexion together with the difference of rhythm has suggested to some commentators that two originally independent Psalms have been joined together. They would hardly be shorter than Psalms 133, 134, both of which begin, like Psalms 127:3, with -Behold." The conjecture however seems to be unnecessary: in view of the importance attaching to the family in oriental countries, it is not unnatural that the Psalmist should enlarge upon its advantages, though he is led away thereby from the point with which he started.

The exhortation to trustful dependence upon God and the warning against corroding anxiety are needed in all ages: but it is not unlikely that the language of the Psalm was suggested by the circumstances of Nehemiah's time. The houses in Jerusalem needed to be rebuilt (Nehemiah 7:4): let it be done in a spirit different from the irreligious selfishness of those who first returned from Babylon (Haggai 1:4). The city had to be carefully guarded (Nehemiah 7:3; Nehemiah 4:9 ff.): let it not be forgotten that precautions were futile without the blessing of Israel's Watchman. The population of Jerusalem was scanty (Nehemiah 7:4), and the promises of the prophets (Jeremiah 30:19-20; Zechariah 2:1 ff; Zechariah 8:4 ff.) had not yet been fulfilled; but God could supply this need, and those to whom He granted the privilege of numerous offspring might congratulate themselves on this mark of His favour.

To the title A song of ascentsthe Heb. text, followed by Cod. R of LXX, Aq., Symm., Jer., Targ., adds of Solomon. The addition may have been suggested by the supposition that the housein Psalms 127:1 meant the Temple, and that his belovedin Psalms 127:2 was an allusion to Solomon's name Jedidiah, -beloved of Jah" (2 Samuel 12:25). The language of the Psalm moreover has some affinities with that of Proverbs.

The Psalm is appointed for use in the office for the Thanksgiving of Women after Child-birth.