Psalms 127 - ESV - Bible Reading / Study Notes

Psalm 127

Unless the Lord Builds the House

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

Footnotes

[1] 127:4 Or sons
[2] 127:5 Or They shall not be put to shame when they speak with their enemies in the gate

Commentary

A house built on God, as in Haggai, 1 Chr 28.10; Eccl 2.22-23.

v1: We must not presume upon God's blessing; rather we must depend on Him, and ask Him to bless, knowing that our labours are useless without Him. We are called to build, and to watch, but in His strength, and dependent on His blessing,

v2: "Vain," meaning a lie, or falsehood; used in Ezek 13.

v3-4: When God blesses there is fruit as well as growth. The shame of fruitlessness is gone; there is dignity in living in God's blessing.

v5: Blessing includes influence and authority, Deut 15.6.