Psalms 127 - Introduction

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. All fall under the same benign and watchful surveillance. The smallest details, as the largest concerns of life, are objects of the Divine regard; and in little things, as well as great, the great lesson to learn is that man cannot of himself command success, though it awaits the weakest who has the Divine blessing. If any particular set of circumstances must be sought for this expression of a truth so firmly planted in Israel, it is natural to look for them during the troubles and anxieties which accompanied the restoration and rebuilding of Jerusalem. Possibly the haste to rebuild the private houses before the public necessities were supplied (comp. Haggai 1:2; Haggai 1:4) may have given the motive of the poem, though it is but in the most delicate way, and under figures universally applicable, that the people are reminded that home, and family, and property alike depend on God. The rhythm is fine and varied.

Title. — “For Solomon.” The rendering is wrong even if the inscription be admitted. Rather, of Solomon, which is the usual form of ascribing authorship. It is not difficult to account for this addition to the usual title, “Song of degrees,” an addition wanting in the LXX. Not only was it natural to think of Solomon, the great builder, in connection with the opening of the psalm, but in the words “his beloved” there was to Jewish ears a suggestion of the name “Jedidiah,” and the resemblance to the Book of Proverbs, both in form and sentiment, is marked. See, for example, Proverbs 10:22, which sums up the prevailing thought of the psalm,