Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Six

Only in the Hebrew Bible does this psalm have an indication of Solomon as the author, in the Vulgate and in the LXX there is no such addition, which can be explained by the fact that the 70 translators had difficulty placing the name of Solomon as the author over that psalm, which was placed in the category of “songs of ascents,” written upon the return or after the return from the Babylonian captivity. However, the content of the psalm, where the writer preaches complete submission of man to God and life according to His guidance, not by reliance on one’s own strength, completely agrees with the content of the works of Solomon (the Book of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes), where he bases human conduct on “the fear of the Lord” (Eccl 12:13-14) and where he proves the meaninglessness of man’s attachment to the earth. The inclusion of this psalm, written by Solomon, by the composers of the canon in the category of songs of ascents is explained, probably, by the fact that this psalm, preaching complete devotion to the Lord, was most frequently used by the Hebrews returned from the captivity at the time when they were engaged in building the second temple and when they encountered many obstacles on this path, insurmountable by their strength, and when their perseverance in the work and confidence in its completion could be nourished only by faith and hope in God, of which this psalm speaks.

If the Lord does not show favor to man, then all his attempts and efforts to establish his well-being are in vain; quiet and peace the Lord gives only to the one whom He loves (1–2). Behold the expression of God’s favor – children, who are for parents such protectors as arrows for an archer, with which he will oppose the enemies of the people in the gates of the city (3–5).

Psalm 126:1. If the Lord does not build the house, those who build it labor in vain; if the Lord does not guard the city, the watchman wakes in vain. Psalm 126:2. In vain you rise up early and stay up late, eating bread of sorrow, for He gives to His beloved sleep. The words of these verses have special meaning in the mouth of Solomon, who became famous for his grandiose structures of the temple and palaces, over the construction of which many architects and craftsmen of that time labored, which would seem to suggest that human persistence and effort always lead to success. Yet Solomon says the opposite. The meaning of his words is that every work of man, begun with the blessing of the Lord, will succeed, but what is erected not with His blessing, and especially contrary to His will, no matter how great the efforts of man, will end in failure. An example of the latter is the construction of the Tower of Babel after the flood, which is an impressive monument not to how great human effort is and how fruitful his genius, but to how fruitless all his efforts are if they are directed against God or provoke His wrath. – “For He gives to His beloved sleep” – not in the sense that whom the Lord loves can do nothing, but in the sense that he who builds in accordance with God’s will and according to His command can be at peace about the successful completion of his work, since he finds himself protection in the Almighty Being. With respect to the position of the Hebrews after the captivity during their cares about building the second temple, these words could fill them with confidence that however great the obstacles they encountered on their way, the work of construction would be completed successfully, since it is in accordance with God’s will, and therefore the Hebrews drew strength and energy from here for its continuation.

Psalm 126:3. Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord: the fruit of the womb is His reward. Psalm 126:4. As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are the young sons. Psalm 126:5. Blessed is the man who has filled his quiver with them! They shall not be put to shame when they speak with enemies in the gates. In abundance of children the ancient Hebrews saw a sign of God’s favor. The writer explains the significance, in what the external good consists in large families and in what God’s favor is seen here: children are the protection of their parents, children are also the protection of the city and the homeland from enemies, when they come out for the defense of both and others in the event of attacks.