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.