PSALM CXXVII _The necessity of God's blessing on every undertaking, without_ _which no prosperity can be expected_, 1, 2. _Children are a heritage from the Lord_, 3, 4. _A fruitful wife is a blessing to her husband_, 5. NOTES ON PSALM CXXVII The _Hebrew, Chaldee_, and _Vulgate_ attribute this... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 127:2. IT IS _VAIN FOR YOU TO RISE UP EARLY_] There seems to be here an allusion to the daily and nightly watches which Nehemiah instituted. The people are worn out with constant labour and watching; he therefore divided them in such a manner, that they who had worked in the day should... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 127:3. _LO, CHILDREN_ ARE _A HERITAGE OF THE LORD_] That is, To many God gives children in place of temporal good. To many others he gives houses, lands, and thousands of gold and silver, and with them the womb that beareth not; and these are their inheritance. The poor man has from Go... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 127:4. _AS ARROWS_ ARE _IN THE HAND OF A MIGHTY MAN_] Each child will, in the process of time, be a _defence_ and _support_ to the family, as arrows in the quiver of a skilful and strong archer; the more he has, the more enemies he may slay, and consequently the more redoubted shall he... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 127:5. _HAPPY_ IS _THE MAN THAT HATH HIS QUIVER FULL OF THEM_] This is generally supposed to mean _his house full of children_, as his _quiver_ if full of _arrows_; but I submit whether it be not more congenial to the metaphors in the text to consider it as applying to the _wife_: "Hap... [ Continue Reading ]