Notes on the Book of Psalms, Psalm 127
The cxxvii. PSALM.
This Psalm is conceived to be penned rather by Solomon himself, than by David …or him, and to be a compendium of his Ecclesiastes: the stile and matter owns him, the subject it treats being politicks, government civil, and domestick, the part appointed him by God more especially to act both in scripture, and in practise, which he handleth not as a meer moralist or Philosopher, but as a divine, instructing in all civil and natural affairs, to eye God by faith, and to make him the efficient and final cause in all publick transanctions, and private business or blessing, else we take course to set God against us, and so to loose all our labour in all we do, and in all we hope and desire. And sheweth what is the best, and most desirable blessing under heaven, that brings most happiness to a mans self, and makes him most usefull to the publick; to wit, a numerous and godly off-spring.
Psalm cxxvii. A Song of degrees for (or as in the margin, of) Solomon.See the Title of the 120. Psalm, the Authours name super-added here.
1EXcept the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the citie, the watchman waketh but in vain.1 MOst men act upon their own principles, in their own affairs and callings, without any eye to God, or faith in God for direction, or success, apprehending issues naturally to ensue upon use of means, as they project and design; whereas it is far otherwaies, for the Lord is all in all, nothing can prosper without him; it is not enough towards the building of an house, (whether materially, or civilly considered,) to have the persons and things that conduce thereunto; the art of Artificers, and the wisdom of a Pater-familias will not serve to erect, or order and well govern it, or raise and enrich posterity without the blessing of God; he can, and doth therefore often times blast their endeavours, and befool their skil, because he is not made the first cause, and the last end; not sought to for a blessing, nor intended to be blessed for the success, when second causes are set up above him, and a man is his own Idol, and kisseth his own hands. And as in government domestick, so in that which is civil and popular, there is the same errour committed: men of place, States-men, and politicians stand on their heads (like children) and shake their heels at heaven; but let such learn from me that know it, and by the blessing of God have as much wisdom, if not more, than other men, that it is neither wise for sight and advice, nor vigilancie and diligence, nor power and strength; it is indeed nothing either in a militarie, or civil way that can order, or secure any countrey, place, or people, from forreign, or intestine evils, but the gracious, provident, and watchfull eye, and ruling hand of God; none can prevent accidents, over-rule hearts, frustrate designs, bless endeavours, but the Lord alone, infinite unexpected occurrences will, nay, shall purposely fall out, to endanger and deceive them that are carnally confident in an arm of fleshly wisdom, strength, or diligence, if not to ruin them. Therefore use the means, but subserviently, trust in the Lord onelyonly, seek him, and seek to him faithfully and self-denyingly, else look not to succeed or prosper, or not to be blessed but cursed in prospering, either in the one or other.
2 How do men moil and toil in the world,2It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrow: for so he giveth his beloved sleep. some to compass riches, others, other designs, their heads and hands in continual action, scarce allowing themselves time to cherish, and sustain nature by sleep or food, which very repasts are also imbittered by inordinate carefulness through diffidence and vnacquaintance with God, not considering that all they do is fruitless and labour lost, if God pronounce not a Fiat, and say not Amen, to what they design and sollicit, though never so eagerly, which yet is certainly true, if they did believe it, and knew to live by faith, how would it moderate and quiet their thoughts, make their lives much more comfortable, and enjoy themselves, and the blessings God gives them with contentment; for so do all they that inwardly feed upon the sweet sense and assurance of Gods love, and are happier in that, than the cares of the world can make them; and whose hearts by believing are staied on the Lord for this, he recompenceth it into their bosoms with recumbancy of spirit, so that they enjoy him, themselves, and the blessings less or more he bestows upon them, free from perplexities, with abundant soul-satisfaction, and continual quiet, which carking wordly-minded men loose, and their labour besides.
3Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.3 And as some mens ambition and contentment, is in honour and riches, and such like earthly felicities, whereto they bend themselves with might and main, and think to compass them by wit and industrie, but are deceived: so others desire to be rich in children, and a good desire it is, if moderated by submission, and mixed with faith, but in this also do men and women miscarrie, having their expectation more upon natural causes, in natural production, than upon Gods supernatural agencie. Whereas, it is nor strength nor pregnancie of nature in either sex that can assure posterity; but the power and free-gift of God, that can onelyonly make parents happy with a happy issue, which he dispenseth of grace to whom he pleases.
4As arrows are in the hands of a mighty man: so are children of the youth.4 A numerous and virtuous off-spring is an unspeakable blessing of God, he that hath them is fitted by them for all assaies, as a strong and valiant man skilful in martial affairs, and plentifully provided of ammunition, darts, and arrows, can with honour and advantage to himself, & them that imploy him, for offence, and defence discharge them hither and thither; so a father blessed with an hopefull and plentifull issue in the flower of his age, is himself blessed by it, and of God made to be a blessing to the common-wealth where he lives, being thereby more than ordinarily usefull, fitted to do God and it service in any kind, sacred, civil, and military, as God disposeth and adapts, so he hath them to dispose of, for publick weal in Church or State.
5 There are diversitie of imaginarie happiness,5Happy 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. but certainly of all earthly ones, this is really the best, and that man the happiest that hath his house and family well filled with such living riches, that no money can purchase, for they are (if good, and got by prayers, & faith) the immediate gift, and extraordinarie favour of God to him that hath them, who thereby is strengthened against the wrongs and oppressions that men in a solitarie condition are subject unto, and able to stand the common-wealth in stead in opposing open enemies, or suppressing civil injuries.