127:1
<> Except the LORD {a} build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the {b} city, the watchman waketh [but] in vain.(a) That is, govern and dispose all things pertaining to the family.
(b) The public estate of the commonwealth.
127:2
[It is] vain for {c} you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread {d} of sorrows: [for] so he giveth his beloved {e} sleep.(c) Who watch and ward and are also magistrates and rulers of the city.
(d) Either that which is gained by hard labour, or eaten with grief of mind.
(e) Not exempting them from labour, but making their labours comfortable and as it were a rest.
127:4
As arrows [are] in the hand of a mighty man; so [are] {f} children of the youth.(f) That is, endued with strength and virtues from God: for these are signs of God's blessings, and not the number.
127:5
Happy [is] the man that hath his quiver full of them: they {g} shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.(g) Such children will be able to stop their adversaries mouths, when their godly life is maliciously accused before judges.