King James Version
Psalms 127
5 verses with commentary
Unless the Lord Builds the House
A Song of degrees for Solomon. 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. for: or, of Solomon that: Heb. that are builders of it in it
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KJV Study Commentary
Solomon's wisdom psalm establishes divine sovereignty over human endeavors through parallel declarations: God must build the house, God must keep the city, or human labor is 'vain' (shav—empty, worthless). This isn't a call to passivity but recognition that apart from God's blessing, even diligent work proves futile (John 15:5). The verse applies to literal construction, family building (verses 3-...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(1) **House.**—*A house, *any house, not the Temple. The thought is a general one. Even in the common labours of men, it is the Divine blessing which contributes the success. *An Gottes Segen ist alles gelegen.*
**Waketh.**—Perhaps better, *watcheth. *The house that has been built with such toil, the city which has been planned with such skill, may suddenly fall before the midnight attack of the r...
Read full commentary →It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows</strong>—<em>Shav</em> (vain, worthless). <strong>For so he giveth his beloved sleep</strong> (כֵּן יִתֵּן לִידִידוֹ שֵׁנָא, <em>ken yitten li-ydido shena</em>). Psalm 127 contrasts anxious striving with God-dependent rest. The issue isn't hard work but anxious toil driven by self-reliance. God gives his belov...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(2) **It . . . sleep.**—This verse, of the literal rendering of which there is no question, has met with many different interpretations. About the first clause there is no difference. Early rising, to pursue the business of the day, is vain without the Divine blessing on the labour. The next two clauses admit two different interpretations. Some connect the sitting down with the meal: “delaying to ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
PSALM 102 Psa 102:1-28. A Prayer of the afflicted, &c.--The general terms seem to denote the propriety of regarding the Psalm as suitably expressive of the anxieties of any one of David's descendants, piously concerned for the welfare of the Church. It was probably David's composition, and, though specially suggested by some peculiar trials, descriptive of future times. Overwhelmed--(compare P...
Read full commentary →Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD</strong> (הִנֵּה נַחֲלַת יְהוָה בָּנִים, <em>hinneh nachalat YHWH banim</em>). <strong>And the fruit of the womb is his reward</strong>. Children are <em>nachalah</em> (inheritance)—they belong to God, entrusted to parents. They're <em>sakar</em> (reward)—not burden but blessing. This challenges cultures viewing children as economic liability.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3) **Children.**—With the true patriarchal feeling of the blessing of a numerous offspring, the poet here directly alludes to Genesis 30:2. “Heritage of Jehovah*” *is, of course, “heritage from Jehovah,” *i.e., *a promise granted by Him, just as Israel itself was a possession He made for Himself.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
PSALM 102 Psa 102:1-28. A Prayer of the afflicted, &c.--The general terms seem to denote the propriety of regarding the Psalm as suitably expressive of the anxieties of any one of David's descendants, piously concerned for the welfare of the Church. It was probably David's composition, and, though specially suggested by some peculiar trials, descriptive of future times. Overwhelmed--(compare P...
Read full commentary →As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth</strong>. Arrows extend a warrior's reach; require strength to draw; achieve what the warrior alone cannot. Children born in youth are especially valuable—young parents have energy, and children reach maturity while parents are active.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4) **Children of the youth**—*i.e.*, the offspring of an early marriage. Aquila, “sons of young and vigorous parents.” The young man, with his numerous family around him, is like the vigorous warrior with his quiver full of arrows.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
PSALM 102 Psa 102:1-28. A Prayer of the afflicted, &c.--The general terms seem to denote the propriety of regarding the Psalm as suitably expressive of the anxieties of any one of David's descendants, piously concerned for the welfare of the Church. It was probably David's composition, and, though specially suggested by some peculiar trials, descriptive of future times. Overwhelmed--(compare P...
Read full commentary →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. his: Heb. filled his quiver with them speak: or, subdue, or, destroy
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them</strong>. <strong>They shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate</strong>. A full quiver means many children. The blessing isn't just private joy but public strength—they won't be shamed when confronting enemies in the gate (law courts). Many sons meant advocates, defenders. This challenges small-family prefer...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(5) **They.**—Not the *sons. *There is here one of the sudden changes of number in which Hebrew poetry abounds. (See especially Psalm 107:43.) Parents who have large families of sons are evidently intended. From the figure of the warrior and the arrows we should expect here, too, a martial image. They shall not be discomfited, but they shall challenge their enemies in the gates. In illustration ma...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
4. (Compare Psa 121:6).
**so that I forget--**or, "have forgotten," that is, in my distress (Psa 107:18), and hence strength fails.