Psalms 127:2

2. Rise… early Namely, to engage in work.

Sit up late Not “sit up,” but sit down. It is not lateness in sitting down to rest at night merely, after the day’s work is done, as the antithesis might seem to require, but delaying to sit down by day as well, whether for momentary rest or for eating. See Deuteronomy 6:7; Psalms 139:2. The reproof lies, not against labour and care as such, which are made necessary by a divine decree, (Genesis 3:17-19,) and in which, as a judgment and a discipline, God takes tender sympathy with man, but against seeking the world with such absorbing care and desire as to rob the body of needful rest and the soul of quiet and meditation. Such a habit is inconsistent with dependence on God, who alone giveth prosperity. See Matthew 6:24-34.

Bread of sorrows Bread procured by bitter labours and cares. The allusion is to Genesis 3:17: “In sorrow shalt thou eat.” Excess of care should be rolled upon God: forethought and diligence belong to us, in reliance upon his guidance. 1 Peter 5:7.

So he giveth The Hebrew כן , ( ken,) is a particle of comparison so, in like manner, thus; and the sense of this obscure sentence seems to be, that in the midst of cares and labours, thus tempered by faith and patience, God giveth to his beloved sleep. Hereby health and present enjoyment are secured, with a better guaranty of ultimate success by this godly advice. Quiet and healthful sleep was considered a special mark of divine care and favour. Leviticus 26:6; Proverbs 3:24.

His beloved The Hebrew ידידו , ( jedido,) “his beloved,” is supposed to refer to the name given to Solomon at his birth, ידידיה , ( Jedidiah,) the “beloved” of Jehovah. 2 Samuel 12:25