psalm-127:3

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Psalms 127:1-5

Psalms 127:1-5THIS pure expression of conscious dependence on God’s blessing for all well-being may possibly have special reference to the Israel of the Restoration. The instances of vain human effort and care would then have special force, when the ruins of many generations had to be rebuilt and the city to be guarded. But there is no need to seek for specific occasion, so general is this psalm. It sings in a spirit of happy trust the commonplace of all true religion, that God’s blessing... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Psalms 127:1-5

Psalm 120-134 The Psalms of Degrees Fifteen brief Psalms follow, called songs of degrees, or, ascents. They were in all probability used by Israel going up to Jerusalem three times a year to celebrate the feasts of the Lord--”Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, a testimony for Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD.” They are indeed Psalms of “the goings-up” for we rise higher and higher as we read through them. Prophetically they give us again the steps from trial and... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Psalms 127:1-5

This group is differentiated by the title attached to each: “A Song of Degrees” or “A Song of Ascents.” The title seems derived from the going up of the people to Jerusalem at the great festivals which came three times a year. (Compare Deuteronomy 16:16 ; 1 Kings 12:27-28 , etc.); the thought being that they chanted the psalms at different stages in their journey. The pertinency of this application of these psalms is more apparent in some than others. For example, Psalms 121:0 represents the... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Psalms 127:3-5

How truly blessed is it to a gracious parent, when the Lord giveth gracious children! What a blessed meeting will that be in glory, when such shall surround the throne! The Lord Jesus is introduced by the Prophet, as presenting his seed, his people, which the Father hath given to him, in that day, saying, Behold I, and the children whom the Lord hath given me. And the apostle quotes it by way of confirmation in allusion to Christ: Isaiah 8:18 , compared with Hebrews 2:13 . And may we not say of... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Psalms 127:3

Sides. Against which vines were planted. (Calmet) --- The married people who fear God, shall commonly have a numerous posterity; or their souls shall produce many good works in the Church, which springs from our Saviour's side. Children denote such good works. (Worthington) --- Plants. Psalm cxliii. 12. (Homer, Odyssey vi. 163.) read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Psalms 127:1-5

The Divine Blessing Needed for Human Enterprises. A song of degrees for Solomon, a hymn written by him probably in connection with the building of the Temple, but applicable to all similar conditions of life, the believers realizing their dependence upon Jehovah in all things. v. 1. Except the Lord build the house, Himself watching over the erection of every building executed by men and prospering their labors, they labor in vain that build it, there being so many possibilities of failure... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - Psalms 127:1-5

Psalms 127:0A Song of Degrees for Solomon Except the Lord build the house,They labour in vain that build it:Except the Lord keep the city,The watchman waketh but in vain.2 It is vain for you to rise up early,To sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows:For so he giveth his beloved sleep.3 Lo, children are a heritage of the Lord:And the fruit of the womb is his reward.4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man:So are children of the youth.5 Happy is the man that hath his... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - Psalms 127:1-5

“The Lord Hath Done Great Things for Us” Psalms 126:1-6 ; Psalms 127:1-5 The circumstances under which this psalm was written are evident upon its face. The exiles, lately back from Babylon, are rejoicing in the gladness of their return. But their joy was not complete so long as the larger portion of their nation were still in bondage. The metaphor of streams in the South is derived from the rapidity with which dry water-courses become flushed with torrent streams. The returned exiles... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - Psalms 127:1-5

The thought of the pilgrim centres upon the city toward which his face is turned as the place of home. The strength of the Hebrew people in the past, and all that remains of it today, largely results from the keen sense which they ever cherished of the importance of the home and the family. The house, the city, labour, are all important to the conserving of the strength of the family. Towards these the pilgrims look, but as they hope, they recognise that, as in the settlement which will make... read more

Arthur Peake

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 127:1-5

CXXVII. A. This Ps. is, as is now generally admitted, composed of two independent Pss. In Psalms 127 A, i.e. in Psalms 127:1 f. the Psalmist’ s theme is the vanity of toil without Yahweh’ s blessing. The house was taken to mean the Temple: hence in the received text, but not in the LXX, the Ps. is ascribed to Solomon. At the end of Psalms 127:2 render, “ So,” i.e. as fully as others get by their toil—“ he giveth to his beloved in sleep.” But the text is almost certainly corrupt. B. Psalms... read more