Psalms 127.
The virtue of God's blessing. Good children are his gift.
A Song of Degrees for Solomon.
Title. לשׁלמה המעלות שׁיר Shiir hammangaloth lishlomoh.] This is said to have been composed by Solomon, and is observed to be a commentary upon a pious maxim, which is several times repeated in the Proverbs, That no endeavours of man can be prosperous, without the blessing and assistance of God. Mr. Mudge, however, observes, that there seems to be no other reason for attributing the psalm to Solomon, than that the first verse talks of building a house. It evidently points to a certain family, which God had blessed with security, affluence, and children; and was occasioned, I suppose, by the lovely appearance they made when they came to present themselves before the temple, to pay the customary homage to God.
Psalms 127:1. Except the Lord, &c.— In this first verse the Psalmist shews how vain it is to attempt any thing, if the Lord do not prosper it, both in relation to private families and public societies; for by building the house, is meant the increase of children and the bringing them up in the fear of Jehovah; by which houses, i.e. families, are built up, supported, and continued. In this sense the expression is used, Genesis 16:2., Exodus 1:21., Deuteronomy 25:9; Deuteronomy 25:19. As, unless God keep the city, that is, guard and preserve public societies, the watchmen will do little good; so unless God build up private families, all the industry of men will not be successful for that purpose.

Psalms 127:2. It is vain, &c.— It is vain for you, ye that rise early, and late take rest: that eat the bread of fatigue: it is thus he giveth sleep to his beloved. Mudge: who observes, that the words, it is thus he giveth, and behold, in the next verse, evidently point, as he suggests in the note on the title, to a particular person whom God had blessed, without which all endeavours are vain. Some render the last clause, Since he giveth to his beloved sleep: but Green translates the passage, "It is in vain for you to rise up, &c.—unless the Lord bless your endeavours: whereas he giveth to his beloved even while they sleep." The plain meaning seems to be, that God affords and bestows to his beloved, or to good men, rest and comfort of life; and withal provides as much wealth for them and their families, as is best for them; and indeed, much more genuine wealth, than they can procure who incessantly harass and fatigue themselves, and deny themselves the enjoyment of all worldly comforts, in order to enrich their posterity. Mr. Merrick seems to have expressed it well in his paraphrase:
Why rise ye early, late take rest, And eat the bread of care? The balm of sleep, his gift confest, His children only share.