Psalm 127:1

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 127:1-5

We are here taught to have a continual regard to the divine Providence in all the concerns of this life. Solomon was cried up for a wise man, and would be apt to lean to his own understanding and forecast, and therefore his father teaches him to look higher, and to take God along with him in his undertakings. He was to be a man of business, and therefore David instructed him how to manage his business under the direction of his religion. Parents, in teaching their children, should suit their... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 127:1

Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it ,.... Whether it be understood literally of an artificial house, as Solomon's own house; or the house of the Lord, or any other: let a man be ever so bent upon building one, or have ever so much skill in drawing the plan of it, or be ever so well provided to go through the expense of it, or have ever so many hands employed in it, yet, if the Lord does not give success, it will all be in vain; the building will fall down, or... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 127:1

Except the Lord build the house - To build a house is taken in three different senses in the sacred writings. To build the temple of the Lord, which was called הבית habbeith , the house, by way of eminence. To build any ordinary house, or place of dwelling. To have a numerous offspring. In this sense it is supposed to be spoken concerning the Egyptian midwives; that because they feared the Lord, therefore he built them houses. See the note on Exodus 1:21 . But, however, the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 127:1

Verse 1 1.Except Jehovah build the house. There is no reason why the Jews should deny that this Psalm was composed by Solomon. They think that the letter ל, lamed, which we translate of, is equivalent to, in behalf of Solomon; which is at variance with common usage, for such a title in all cases designates the author. Accordingly, they absurdly devise a new sense, for which there is no necessity, it being very suitable for Solomon, who was endued with the spirit of wisdom in the affairs of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 127:1

Except the Lord build the house ; rather, a house ; i . e . any house whatsoever. They labor in vain that build it. They will effect nothing—no house will be built. Except the Lord keep the city; rather, a city. The watchman waketh but in vain . Human watching is of no use unless accompanied by Divine watching. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 127:1

The God of the family life. "These pictures are mild and bright; humanizing are they in the best sense: they retain certain elements of Paradise, and yet more the elements of the patriarchal era, with the addition of that patriotism and of that concentration in which the patriarchal life was wanting. The happy religious man, after the Hebrew pattern, possessed those feelings and habitudes which, if they greatly prevail in a community, impart to it the strength of a combination which is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 127:1

The true city watchman. "Except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain." This would come home very forcibly to the restored exiles if, as we may well assume, the psalm was written before Nehemiah restored the walls of the holy city. Then the only protection of the city must have been the vigilance of the night-watchmen, which never could be depended on. And yet the city containing God's people was absolutely secure; and would have been as secure if no watchmen had ever... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 127:1

The Divine Builder. (For the opening or reopening of a church.) "Except the Lord build the house," etc. I. OUR DEPENDENCE UPON GOD FOR ALL REAL PROSPERITY . 1. Consider the material of the house we are building . "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" "Ye also as living stones , are built up a spiritual house," etc. The spiritual temple dwarfs the most magnificent material cathedrals. 2. The Divine... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 127:1-5

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 127:1-5

The blessing of God. The psalm is in keeping with that prevalent piety which led the devout Israelite to trace God's hand in everything, and ascribe both good and evil, both joy and sorrow, to his directing power. I. UNBLESSED LABOR . 1. We can do nothing at all without the Divine co-operation. We constantly depend on the presence of his material, on the action of his laws, on the activity of the forces he keeps in play. We all recognize this in agriculture; that it is vain for... read more

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