Martin Luther on Psalms 128:6

Verse. 6. That thou mayst see thy childrens children and peace vpon Israel.

It is giuen to many to haue children in matrimony, and to many it is not. Therefore we sayd before, that this is a commendation and not a promise perteining to euery man perticularly, but generally vnto matrimony & to the kinde of life it self. So vnto some it is giuen to see the children and nephewes of their children. To some againe matrimony is all togither barren and fruiteles. For these things the Lord distributeth to euery one as is most expedient for them. Notwithstanding, the godly married persons must pray vnto God for them, and most commonly also they doe enioy them. And maruelous is that naturall affection and loue especially in olde men which they beare vnto their childrens children: for they loue them more tenderly then their owne. Wherefore, for as much as this Psalme tendeth to the setting forth and bewtifying of matrimony, and wisheth all felicitie to the married persons, the holy ghost addeth this moreouer concerning their long and fruitfull posteritie, as a singular comfort, because he would omit none of those good blessings whiche are giuen of God to suche as are marryed, though not to all, yet to the most parte. Nowe, although we sayde before that all such prayers haue a promise included in them, yet notwithstanding this is the maner of corporall promises, that God giueth them so as is most profitable and expedient for euery man. Wherefore we must apply the promise which is included in this prayer, to the kind of life it selfe, and not to euery married person, namely, that such as liue in godly matrimony and feare God, shall encrease and multiply vnto a fruiteful and a great posteritie, and that for their sake the blessing shall flowe vnto all the people: as he addeth in this clause: peace vpon Israell, that is to say, all wealth and prosperitie I wish vnto Israell for thy sake.

Thus the Psalme commendeth and defendeth matrimony against those spitefull sclanders and reproches of the world, which can not iudge but according to the sense and feeling of the fleshe. Wherefore, as it is offended with the troubles and burthens of matrimony: so is it offended also with those things which happen in ciuill gouernment, when it must obey lawes, pay tribute to the Prince, or be are any other like burthen. For it would so liue that what soeuer is best or most pleasant in matrimonye, that onely it would enioy without all griefe or molestation. As, we may see, there be many whiche marry wiues, because they imagine that there is nothing in matrimony but mere loue, amorous delites, and fleshly pleasures. In like maner how many shal ye find, which through an inordinate loue and desire of glory, seeke to rule and be in authoritie? But afterwardes, when in matrimony they must suffer troubles and vexations, and in politike gouernment, enuy, hatred, cursed speaking, and sclaunders, they cry out that they were deceiued and become impatient. Yea, it can not otherwise be but that these things must so come to passe. For that which is the best and most excellent in both kindes of life, the blessing of the Lord I meane, they nothing esteme. Wherfore we must haue a speciall regard vnto the blessing: and we must haue also the word of God before our eyes, to the ende that when all other thinges are full of daungers, full of troubles, miseries and vexations, we may rest and repose our selues vpon the good will and pleasure of our God.

Likewise in the Church, are not all thinges, I pray you, full of troubles, vexations, and wofull calamities in so great a multitude of prophane & godles people? Notwithstanding all these things, when we looke to the will of God, are easily borne and ouercome. So let vs also in matrimony consider first the word of God: then the gift which the Lord bestoweth vppon vs when he giueth wife and children: and thirdly Gods blessing and peace in the politike state and common weale. For these giftes thus acknowledged, let vs afterwards giue thankes vnto God. So shal God be prouoked to bestow a greater blessing vpon vs: whereas if these thinges be not done, we shall prouoke him to take from vs those giftes which we haue. So great Empires, kingdoms, cities & common weales might longer prosper and flourish then they do. But because they be vnthankfull vnto God and contemne his word, they come to ruine and miserably perish. Let vs therefore learne to be thankfull, and the blessing of God shall abound in vs.