Henry Ainsworth on Psalms 127

PSAL. CXXVII.

A Song of degrees for Solomon.

IF Iehovah build not the house, in vaine doe the builders thereof labour therein: if Iehovah keepe not the citie, in vaine doth the keeper wake. It is vaine for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrowes; so he will give his beloved sleepe.

Loe, sonnes are an heritage of Iehovah; the fruit of the wombe, his wages. As arrowes in the hand of a mightie man, so are sonnes of the youth. O blessed is the man that hath filled his quiver with them: they shall not be abashed, when they shall speake with the enemies in the gate.

Annotations. FOr Solomon] as Psal. 72. 1. or, of Solomon. the citie] in Chaldee, the citie Ierusalem. Vers. 2. to rise early] or, to be early in rising, to be late in sitting, eating, &c. of sorrowes] that is, gotten with much sorrow or paines: as bread of wickednesse, Prov. 4. 17. is that which is wickedly gotten; or bread of sorrowes, may meane course meat, as bread of pleasures, Dan. 10. 3. is dainty fine meat. so] by building, keeping and blessing their labours without sorrow; or surely he will give. his beloved] or dearling; the Hebrew Iedid, hath reference to Solomons name Iedid-jah, 2 Sam. 12. 25. that is, Beloved of Iah: but the Greek turneth it plurally, his beloved ones. sleepe] quiet rest without carke and sorrow. Therefore also the Hebrew word Shena is written with [non-Latin text not transcribed] a quiet dumbe letter, (otherwise than usuall) to denote the more quietnesse. Vers. 3. an heritage] that is, a reward (or blessing) given of the Lord: so Iob 20. 29. Isa. 54. 17. Psal. 61. 6. wages] or reward, which sometime is of debt, for service, Num. 18. 31. Gen. 30. 28. sometime of favour, Rom. 4. 4. as Gods rewards to his servants, Gen. 15. 1. Isa. 62. 11. Vers. 4. sonnes of youth] that is, young men, who area helpe to their parents against the enemie, as arrowes in the battell. Compare 1 Ioh. 2. 14. Prov. 20. 29. Vers. 5. his quiver with them] that is, his house full of children. when they shall speake] that is, plead in judgement; which was at the citie gates; see the contrary, Iob 5. 4. It may also be read, but they shall subdue the enemies in the gate. The Greek giveth the first interpretation. The Chaldee saith, when they contend with their adversaries in the gate of the judgement hall.