127 A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.
127:1 Unless the Lord builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the watchman stays awake in vain.
2 It is in vain that you rise up early
and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
for he gives to his beloved sleep.
3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
the fruit of the womb a reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the children1 of one’s youth.
5 Blessed is the man
who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame
when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.2
Section Overview
The basic theme of this wisdom psalm is that, without the Lord’s blessing, all human toil is worthless. This is explicit in verses 1–2 and implicit in verses 3–5, where the pious are to see their children as the Lord’s gift.
Psalms 127–128 are wisdom poems in the Songs of Ascents. Wisdom themes are suited to worshipful pilgrims, because in the Hebrew Bible faithfulness in everyday life (the emphasis of wisdom) and vitality in worship go together (cf. Section Overview of Psalm 111).
This psalm, along with Psalm 72, is attributed to Solomon.733 The record indicates that God gave Solomon great wisdom (1 Kings 4:29–34), though Solomon himself did not always abide by it (1 Kings 11:1–8).
The two parts of the psalm can be discerned by their content: the first deals with toil in general (vv. 1–2), and the second with children (vv. 3–5). It is possible that the word “house” in verse 1, although meant physically, also anticipates the household, or family, of the second section (and, in a Song of Ascents, perhaps the house of the Lord!).734
Section Outline
I. All Effort Is in Vain without the Lord (127:1–2)
II. The Blessedness of Children (127:3–5)
Response
Psalm 127 aims to ensure that those who work do so in faith and that those who enjoy success give God the proper thanks; this is true wisdom. At the same time, as a Song of Ascents it is suited to a worshiping congregation—many of whom need reassurance that taking time off from their work in order to attend the pilgrim feast is indeed worthwhile. The worship of the sanctuary enhances their ability to trust God and to work well.
The children were to accompany their parents to the feasts as well, and to participate (Deut. 12:7, 12, 18). To sing about them in this psalm can help the members of the congregation to keep them in perspective—as a blessing (and as the future of God’s people), not a burden or nuisance.
Christians must earn their living as well as the ancient Israelites did (1 Thess. 4:11–12) and perform their work in the same kind of trust. They must also treasure their children and not provoke or discourage them (Eph. 6:4; Col. 3:21). At the same time, they must remember the concreteness of the psalm’s imagery (cf. comment on 127:3–5); each person experiences blessedness according to his or her life setting.Psalm 127
Psalm 128