CXXVII. Man’s toil, and skill, and care would be all unavailing were there not a “Divinity shaping our ends.” This is the thought common in Hebrew literature (see Notes), now so expressed as to include not only the greater purposes of human activity, but even the homeliest duty of every-day life. Al... [ Continue Reading ]
HOUSE. — _A house,_ any house, not the Temple. The thought is a general one. Even in the common labours of men, it is the Divine blessing which contributes the success. _An Gottes Segen ist alles gelegen._ WAKETH. — Perhaps better, _watcheth._ The house that has been built with such toil, the city... [ Continue Reading ]
IT... SLEEP. — This verse, of the literal rendering of which there is no question, has met with many different interpretations. About the first clause there is no difference. Early rising, to pursue the business of the day, is vain without the Divine blessing on the labour. The next two clauses admi... [ Continue Reading ]
CHILDREN. — With the true patriarchal feeling of the blessing of a numerous offspring, the poet here directly alludes to Genesis 30:2. “Heritage of Jehovah_”_ is, of course, “heritage from Jehovah,” _i.e.,_ a promise granted by Him, just as Israel itself was a possession He made for Himself.... [ Continue Reading ]
CHILDREN OF THE YOUTH — _i.e._, the offspring of an early marriage. Aquila, “sons of young and vigorous parents.” The young man, with his numerous family around him, is like the vigorous warrior with his quiver full of arrows.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY. — Not the _sons._ There is here one of the sudden changes of number in which Hebrew poetry abounds. (See especially Psalms 107:43.) Parents who have large families of sons are evidently intended. From the figure of the warrior and the arrows we should expect here, too, a martial image. They sh... [ Continue Reading ]