A song of ascents, 2 by Solomon.
127:1 If the Lord does not build a house, 3
then those who build it work in vain.
If the Lord does not guard a city, 4
then the watchman stands guard in vain.
49:4 But I thought, 5 “I have worked in vain;
I have expended my energy for absolutely nothing.” 6
But the Lord will vindicate me;
my God will reward me. 7
2:13 Be sure of this! The Lord who commands armies has decreed:
The nations’ efforts will go up in smoke;
their exhausting work will be for nothing. 8
1 sn Psalm 127. In this wisdom psalm the psalmist teaches that one does not find security by one’s own efforts, for God alone gives stability and security.
2 sn The precise significance of this title, which appears in Pss 120-134, is unclear. Perhaps worshipers recited these psalms when they ascended the road to Jerusalem to celebrate annual religious festivals. For a discussion of their background see L. C. Allen, Psalms 101-150 (WBC), 219-21.
3 sn The expression build a house may have a double meaning here. It may refer on the surface level to a literal physical structure in which a family lives, but at a deeper, metaphorical level it refers to building, perpetuating, and maintaining a family line. See Deut 25:9; Ruth 4:11; 1 Sam 2:35; 2 Sam 7:27; 1 Kgs 11:38; 1 Chr 17:10, 25. Having a family line provided security in ancient Israel.
4 sn The city symbolizes community security, which is the necessary framework for family security.
5 tn Or “said” (KJV, NASB, NIV, NRSV); NLT “I replied.”
6 tn Heb “for nothing and emptiness.” Synonyms are combined to emphasize the common idea.
7 tn Heb “But my justice is with the Lord, and my reward [or “wage”] with my God.”
8 tn Heb “Is it not, look, from the