Matthew Poole and continuators on Psalms 127

1 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.

i. e. Assist and bless those that build the house, either an artificial house, the Temple, or the Royal Palace, or any of those numerous structures which Solomon raised; or a natural or civil house, a family or a State or Kingdom.

They will never bring it to perfection, nor have any comfort in it.

Marginal references: Heb. that are builders of it in it.

2 It is in vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late , to eat the bread of sorrows : for so he giveth his beloved sleep .

He directs his speech to the persons forementioned, the builders, or watchmen, of both which sorts there are many that use the following course.

To use constant and unwearied diligence from the very dawning of the day unto the dark night, that so you may accomplish your designs.

To eat the bread which you get by excessive and grievous pains.

To wit, by his blessing, which, though, not expressed, is sufficiently understood out of the former verse, where it is twice expressed. As therefore he saith it is in vain for them to build or watch, if God do not give his blessing and assistance, v. 1. so here he adds, that it is in vain to be diligent in their labours and callings, understand, without Gods blessing; for so, i. e. not singly by their industry, but by his blessing upon their labours. But the Hebrew word rendred so may be and is by others rendred when or whereas or since; by others, rightly or well, when it is convenient and needful for them; by others, as it is in our margent, certainly, the sleep which they have is undoubtedly from Gods blessing, without which all possible endeavours would never procure it.

The Lord, expressed in the former and in the following verses.

To wit, freely, without that immoderate toiling and drudgery wherewith others pursue it.

His people, who though hated and maligned by men, are beloved of God, over whom his providence watcheth in a special manner. In this expression he seems to allude to the name of Iedidiah, which was given to Solomon, and signifies the beloved of the Lord, 2 Sam. 12. 25.

A quiet rest both of body and mind, which many of those greedy worldlings cannot enjoy, as is observed Eccles. 5. 11.

Marginal references: Or, certainly. Zech. 11. 11.

3 Loe, children are an heritage of the LORD : and the fruit of the womb is his reward .

Which he mentions here, partly because they are the chief of all these blessings; and partly because all the forementioned toil and labour is in a great measure and most commonly undertaken for their sakes.

They come not from the power of nature and from a mans conversation with his wife, or with a multitude of wives or concubines, which Solomon had, but onely from Gods blessing, even as an inheritance is not the fruit of a mans own labour, but the gift of his father, or rather the gift of God both enabling and inclining his father to give it to him.

Not a reward of debt merited by good men, but a reward of grace, of which we read Rom. 4. 4. which God gives them graciously, as Iacob acknowledgeth of his children, Gen. 33. 5. And although God give children and other outward comforts to ungodly men in the way of common providence, yet he gives them onely to his people as favours and in the way of promise and covenant.

Marginal references: Deut. 28. 4.

4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man ; so are children of the youth .

When they are shot out of a bow by a man of great strength against his enemy, which are of great use and power both to offend the enemy, and to defend himself.

Children begotten in youth, as an husband or wife married in their youth are called an husband or wife of youth, Prov. 5. 18. Isa. 54. 6. Ioel. 1. 8. and as a son begotten in old age is called a son of old age, Gen. 37. 3. And these he prefers before other children in this point, partly because such are commonly more strong and vigorous than others; and partly because they live longest with their parents, and to their comfort and support, whereas children born in old age seldom come to any maturity of years before their parents death.

5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them : they shall not be ashamed , but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate .

Who hath a numerous issue; which as it is a great blessing in it self, so Solomons want of it made it more valuable in his eyes.

Such parents fear not the reproach of barrenness, which was grievous, especially among the Jews; of which see Luke 1. 25. nor any other shame from their enemies.

They shall couragiously plead their cause in Courts of Judicature, which were in the gates, Deut. 21. 19. & 25. 7. not fearing to be crushed by the might of their adversaries, as weak and helpless persons frequently are.

Marginal references: Heb. hath filled his quiver with them.; Or, shall subd[illegible: 1+ letters], as Psal. 18. 47. or destroy.