INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 127 A SONG OF DEGREES FOR SOLOMON. This psalm was written for Solomon; that is, for the sake of Solomon, as Aben Ezra interprets it; of concerning Solomon, as Jarchi: and so the Syriac title, "it was said by David concerning Solomon.'' Perhaps it was composed by David, after... [ Continue Reading ]
EXCEPT THE LORD BUILD THE HOUSE, THEY LABOUR IN VAIN THAT BUILD IT,.... Whether it be understood literally of an artificial house, as Solomon's own house; or the house of the Lord, or any other: let a man be ever so bent upon building one, or have ever so much skill in drawing the plan of it, or be... [ Continue Reading ]
[IT IS] VAIN FOR YOU TO RISE UP EARLY, TO SIT UP LATE,.... A description of an industrious and laborious person, who takes great pains to get a livelihood, or increase his substance; see Psalms 104:23; which, yet, as in the former instances, depends upon the blessing of divine Providence, Proverbs 1... [ Continue Reading ]
LO, CHILDREN [ARE] AN HERITAGE OF THE LORD,.... As all success, safety, and the blessings of life, depend on the providence of God; so this very great blessing is a gift of his; having children, and those good ones, as the Targum interprets it; for of such only can it be understood: so, in a spiritu... [ Continue Reading ]
AS ARROWS [ARE] IN THE HAND OF A MIGHTY MAN,.... Are shot out with great strength; come with much force, and do execution, and do not return in vain; with which men defend themselves, and annoy their enemies; see Jeremiah 50:9; SO [ARE] CHILDREN OF THE YOUTH: not young children, or children in thei... [ Continue Reading ]
HAPPY [IS] THE MAN THAT HATH HIS QUIVER FULL OF THEM,.... That is, his house full of them; called a quiver, referring to arrows before mentioned, this being the case in which they are put up: to have many children was always reckoned a great temporal blessing and happiness; see Job 1:2. The Septuagi... [ Continue Reading ]