The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 127:1

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

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.

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Matthew Henry on Psalms 127:1-5Psalms 127:1-5 · Matthew Henry Concise Commentary—Let us always look to God's providence. In all the affairs and business of a family we must depend upon his blessing. 1. For raising a family. If God be not acknowledged, we have no reason to expect his blessing; and t…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 127:1-5Psalms 127:1-5 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION A DIDACTIC psalm, preaching a contented trust in God as more conducive to the prosperity of a man, or a state, than any amount of fussy activity. The ascription to Solomon is borne out The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 127:1-5Psalms 127:1-5 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe 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. UN…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 127:1-5Psalms 127:1-5 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe builder's psalm. Our ignorance of the exact reference of this psalm enables us to apply it, as perhaps otherwise we might not be able, to all builders whatsoever. Four such seem to be pointed at here. I. THE TEMPLE-…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 127:1Psalms 127:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe 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 th…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 127:1Psalms 127:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe 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 restor…

commentaryMatthew Henry on Psalms 127:1-5—Let us always look to God's providence. In all the affairs and business of a family we must depend upon his blessing. 1. For raising a family. If God be not acknowledged, we have no reason to expect his blessing; and t…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 127:1-5EXPOSITION A DIDACTIC psalm, preaching a contented trust in God as more conducive to the prosperity of a man, or a state, than any amount of fussy activity. The ascription to Solomon is borne outJoseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 127:1The 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…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 127:1-5The 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. UN…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 127:1-5The builder's psalm. Our ignorance of the exact reference of this psalm enables us to apply it, as perhaps otherwise we might not be able, to all builders whatsoever. Four such seem to be pointed at here. I. THE TEMPLE-…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 127:1The 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 th…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 127:1The 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 restor…Joseph S. Exell and contributors