A Brief Explication of the Last Fifty Psalms, Psalm 127
PSALME CXXVII. A Song of degrees for Solomon.
THe scope of the Psalme is to shew first, that the defence of our persons, and successe in our affaires, do depend upon Gods blessing upon the meanes used, v. 1, 2. Next, to shew that multitude of children is Gods blessing also, v. 3, 4, 5. The Psalm is intituled for Solomon, who was to build the house of God, and to enlarge the Kingdom of Israel. Whence learn, 1. All truth of God must be studied, but specially that part whereof we are to have special use in our life, and exercise of our calling, as this doctrine here commended to Solomon doth teach. 2. Neither Solomon, nor the wisest and most active among men, must ascribe more to themselves in compassing their affaire, then other men may do: for this doctrine is taught unto Solomon. 3. Whatsoever we have, or we do, or we purchase, or can atchieve by whatsoever lawful meanes, God must be acknowledged as the giver, doer and blesser of us therein: for the scope of this Psalme, is to teach this lesson unto Solomon, and to the whole Church.
Ver. 1. EXcept the LORD build the house, they labour in vaine that build it; except the LORD keep the City, the watchman waketh but in vaine.
2. It is vaine for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrowes: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
From the first doctrine, shewing that the defence of our persons, and successe in our affaires do depend on Gods blessing; Learn, We are subject to a twofold practical errour▪ One is, we ordinarily look first to means, or to our own strength, or to appearances of accomplishing our designes, and in the confidence of those we follow our businesse. Another is, when any successe is found, we are ready to sacrifice to our own nets, and to intercept the praise due to God, as this doctrine doth presuppose. 2 To correct our natural errour, it is wisdom to consider, that many men have had plenty of meanes, and have managed them skilfully and painfully, and yet without successe: For except the Lord build the house, they labour in vaine that build it. 3 As it is a duty for men to provide for their own commodious living, and their families well-being by allowed meanes, and in their incorporations to provide for Magistrates, Rulers, and other things needful for the defence and welfare of the incorporation, and not to neglect the meanes: so must God be looked unto, believed in, and depended upon, because he only can give the blessing, he can work without meanes, but the meanes can effect nothing without him; Except the Lord keep the City, the watchman doth watch but in vain. 4. The Lord justly doth plague the painfulnesse of some, who toile like infidels in the use of the meanes, whereby the truth of the doctrine doth appear; It is vain for you to rise up early, to set up late, and to eat the bread of sorrowes, that is, sparingly to feed upon course morsels, to eschew expences. 5. It is the only way for having a quiet minde, and good successe, to use the meanes without anxiety, and to commit the successe unto God: and this wisdom is the proper gift of Gods chosen children: For so he giveth his beloved sleep.
Ver. 3. Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the wombe is his reward.
4. As arrowes are in the hand of a mighty man, so are children of the youth.
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.
From the second doctrine▪ Learn, 1. The Lord will be seen in a special manner in the withholding or giving children to married persons, and will have the benefit acknowledged when he doth bestow it: Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord, and the fruit of the wombe is his reward. 2. When God giveth children for a blessing, he giveth grace, as to the Parents to bring them well up, so to the children to be comfortable to their Parents, and to go about their Parents businesse, so readily as arrowes out of the bowe; As arrowes are in the hand of a mighty man, so are children of the youth. 3. In peace and war, dutiful children will do for their Parents, and for their Pastors, Magistrates, Rulers, as their fathers and mothers: for the Parents who have such children, shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with the enemies in the gate. 4. Temporal benefits are then evidences of happinesse, when the man is a believer in God, and a depender upon him, and is blessed spiritually by God: for of such only doth the Psalmist say, Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of such arrowes, as gracious children, or gracious subjects are.