Psalm 127 (126):3Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

What is the relationship between these words? It is profound and inseparable from what has come before. The essence of this passage suggests that without divine assistance, all efforts are futile; however, with God's aid, restful sleep becomes a joy, leading to a life that is secure and filled with tranquility. When God grants them rest and protects them from their foes, they will not only restore the city and safeguard it, but also enjoy even greater blessings; they will become parents to numerous offspring, for God will bestow upon them many children. ‘The reward is the fruit of the womb.’ What does this signify? As a reward, it implies the blessing of fertility.

Among the collection known as the 'Songs of Ascents,' this particular psalm bears a noteworthy title: 'The Psalm of Solomon.' This designation prompts us to explore why Solomon's name has been attached to it, without needing to reiterate the meaning of 'Song of Ascents.' Solomon, the son of David, was a significant figure marked by the Holy Spirit's inspiration, through which many divine commandments, healing insights, and sacred mysteries were recorded in Scripture. Despite being granted wisdom, he fell into the sin of idolatry, influenced by his relationships with women, ultimately offering sacrifices to false gods (1 Kings 11:7-8), as the Scriptures witness. If all that was entrusted to him were to perish due to his transgressions, it would imply that those commandments originated from him rather than being divinely bestowed. Thus, God's grace ensured that the good conveyed through Solomon was rightly ascribed to Him, while the failures were attributable to Solomon himself. What is surprising about Solomon's downfall among God's chosen people? Was not Adam placed in paradise? Did not an angel descend from grace and become the adversary? This illustrates that hope must not rest in humanity. Solomon's name signifies 'peace,' yet Christ is the True Peacemaker, as affirmed by the Apostle: He is our Peace, who made both one (Ephesians 2:14). Therefore, He is the true Solomon, with Solomon serving as a foreshadowing of this Peacemaker when he erected the temple. The Scripture reminds us that 'Unless the Lord builds the house, the labor of those who build it is in vain' (Psalm 127:1). It is the Lord Jesus Christ who constructs His dwelling. Many work diligently to build, but unless He oversees the endeavor, their efforts will bear no fruit. Those involved in building include all who proclaim the Word of God within the Church—servants of divine mysteries. We are all engaged in this ongoing labor, just as those before us have served; however, apart from the Lord's construction, their endeavors are futile. Consequently, the apostles lamented over those who had strayed, mourning for laboring in vain for their sake (Galatians 4:10-11). It is said that He builds what's within, while we observe with keen attention your openness to our message; it is He alone who discerns your thoughts. He builds, teaches, enlightens your mind, and ignites your faith. While we too labor as workers, ultimate creation rests with the Lord.

Furthermore, what constitutes the house of God also represents a city. The house of God embodies the people of God; thus, it is the temple of God. This is Jerusalem, which has both builders and guardians. The scriptural admonition, 'I fear lest your minds be corrupted in any way from the simplicity that is in Christ' (2 Corinthians 11:3), pertains to guardianship. He safeguarded the Church and watched over those entrusted to him. Bishops are appointed to fulfill this role, serving as overseers of the flock. The term 'bishop' in Greek and 'overseer' in common use denote the same function; a bishop watches over his congregation. Just as a vinedresser is elevated due to his management of the vineyard, bishops are placed in a position of oversight. There may exist perilous narratives regarding such an elevated role; however, we stand here compelled to humble ourselves and pray for you, seeking that the One who knows your hearts may guard you. While we can perceive your movements, we are unable to discern the thoughts of your hearts or even the activities within your homes. How, then, can we provide true guardianship? As humans, we intervene as best we can, reliant on our limited authority. Since our guidance is inherently flawed, do you lack protection? Absolutely not! 'Unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain' (Psalm 127:1). Our vigilance may falter, yet it is He alone who observes your innermost thoughts and ensures your safety. He observes while you are vigilant and when you are at rest. He once slumbered on the Cross and rose again; He slumbers no longer. O Israel, for the Keeper of Israel neither sleeps nor slumbers. Yes, brothers and sisters, if we seek refuge under the shadow of God's wings, let us be like Israel. We are your shepherds, yet underneath this Shepherd, we are all sheep together. We serve as teachers from this platform, but under the One Master, we are all learners in this institution.

If we desire to be safeguarded by Him who humbled Himself for our sake and is exalted to protect us, let us embrace humility. No one should presume anything for himself, for whatever good one possesses comes solely from Him who is truly good. The one who assumes wisdom is his own is a fool; let him adopt humility so that wisdom may illuminate his heart. If one presumes to be wise before wisdom arrives, he walks in darkness instead of stepping into the light. What does this psalm reveal? 'It is vain for you to rise before the dawn' (Psalm 127:2). This phrase illuminates the truth that if you attempt to rise before the true Light has dawned, your toil will be in vain as you find yourself enveloped in darkness. Our Light, Christ, has arisen; it is wise for you to rise after Him, not ahead of Him. Who might rise before Christ? Those who attempt to elevate themselves above Him. Who are those that wish to elevate themselves above Christ? Those seeking honor in the presence of Him who was humble. Therefore, let them adopt humility here if they seek to be exalted alongside Christ. Jesus beckoned the sons of Zebedee to humility, asking them, 'Can you drink from the cup that I will drink?' (Matthew 20:21-22). I came to humble Myself; do you desire to be esteemed above Me? The path I walk, you are called to follow. Should you stray from the path I tread, your efforts will be in vain, should you rise before dawn. Similarly, Peter sought to counsel the Lord before the Light, attempting to dissuade Him from His suffering for our sakes. What was our Lord's response? He prompted Peter to walk in alignment with the Light: 'Get behind Me, Satan' (Matthew 16:23). He was labeled 'Satan' because he desired to act contrary to the Light. Retreat behind Me; follow where I lead: where I go, that is where you are to travel.

In contemplation, one might ask, 'When shall we rise again?' We are presently instructed to sit; when shall our rising occur? It transpires when the Lord woke. 'Look unto Him that went before you;' if you neglect to heed Him, any labor to rise before the dawn will be futile. When was He resurrected? At the moment of His death. Therefore, anticipate your own resurrection following death; place your faith in the resurrection of the dead, as He rose and ascended. Where did He rest? Upon the Cross. In His sleep on the Cross, He signified that which was foreshadowed in Adam: when Adam slept, a rib was taken from him, leading to the creation of Eve (Genesis 2:21-22). Likewise, when the Lord rested on the Cross, His side was pierced with a spear, resulting in the Sacraments flowing forth (John 19:34), from which the Church was born. The Church, as the Bride of Christ, emerged from His side, just as Eve was formed from Adam's rib. For as Eve was brought forth from Adam in sleep, so the Church was birthed from Christ's side in death. Consequently, if He rose from the dead solely through death, why would you expect ascension otherwise than after this life? If you inquire, 'When will I rise again?' This psalm instructs: 'When He puts His beloved to sleep' (Psalm 126:3). God grants this; when His beloved has been put to sleep, then those beloved by Him—namely, Christ's beloved—shall rise again. For all will rise, but not as His beloved. There exists a resurrection for all the dead, yet the Apostle states, 'We shall all rise, but not all shall be changed' (1 Corinthians 15:51). They rise for judgment; we rise as our Lord rose, following our Head, provided we are identified as His members. Hence, anticipate such a resurrection and for this reason, be a Christian— not for worldly gain. If your aim is to be a Christian for the sake of worldly pleasure, do not seek fulfillment in transient joys, since your Light is Christ. If you look to achieve happiness not found in Him, you will rise before the Light and persist in darkness. Transform your pursuit; follow your Light; rise where He ascended: first sit down, and rise when He awakens His beloved.

Should you ask again, 'Who is the beloved?' Listen, 'Behold, children, the reward of the fruit of the womb, is the inheritance of the Lord' (Psalm 127:3). In mentioning the 'fruit of the womb,' we recognize these children come forth in childbirth. A certain woman symbolizes what was said to Eve: 'In sorrow shall you bring forth children.' The Church gives birth to children, the Bride of Christ, and suffers during their delivery. In her likeness, Eve is known as the Mother of all living. The Apostle declared, 'My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you' (Galatians 4:19); she labored among her offspring. But she did not toil in vain, nor bring forth in vain: at the resurrection, a holy offspring will manifest; the righteous now dispersed shall be multiplied. The Church mourns for them, the Church suffers for them; yet in the resurrection, the seed of the Church will be evident, and all pain and anguish will cease.

Just as arrows are in the hand of a mighty warrior, so are the children of those who have been released (Psalm 127:4). Where does this heritage come from, dear ones? From where arises such a multitude? Like arrows released from the bow of the Lord, they have traversed far and wide, filling the earth, from which the Saints arise. This is the heritage of which it is said, 'You will desire Me and I will give you nations as your inheritance and the ends of the earth as your possession.' What causes this possession to extend to the distant reaches of the world? Because, like arrows in a mighty hand, they fly forth. Arrows launched from a bow travel farthest when released by a powerful hand. However, what surpasses the potency of the Lord's arrow? From His bow, He dispatches His Apostles: no place exists where an arrow sent forth from such strength would not reach; it traveled to the far corners of the earth. The only reason its trajectory did not extend further is that there were no humans remaining outside its reach. For He possesses such might that even if there were a place beyond which an arrow could not fly, He would release it there. Thus, the children of those who were sent out belong to those just as arrows let loose reach their mark.

Perhaps the Apostles themselves can be termed the offspring of the shaken ones, the sons of the Prophets. The Prophets concealed profound mysteries: they were stirred forth to reveal their hidden truths... If these prophecies had not been scrutinized, would their concealed meanings have been unveiled to us? Therefore, these meanings remained undisclosed until the Lord's arrival. When He came, He unveiled these mysteries, shaking loose the Prophets and giving birth to the Apostles. Just as the Apostles emerged from the prophets shaken from within, they are now regarded as the offspring of the shaken. They stood as arrows in the hand of the Almighty, reaching the world’s farthest edges. If His hand is strong, He vigorously shook them; if He exerted His might, those He shook reached even the most distant lands.

When He grants His beloved rest, look at the Lord’s inheritance, the sons regarding the temple; do not elevate yourselves as though it belongs to you. The temple is not yours. Rather, when He provides rest to His cherished ones from the first peoples, namely the Prophets, He will bestow it upon His sons as their heritage. Who are these but the followers of Christ? The promise and blessing of God upon His children serves as a reward for those who place their faith in Him. The fruit of the womb symbolizes the salvation of the spirit, as it is written: "We are sick, and we have borne the spirit of salvation, which we have created on the earth" (Isaiah 26:18). As a reward, a sonship will be granted, much like a legacy of this fruitful gift.

When God grants His cherished ones rest, it is a glimpse of the bounty bestowed upon His people, a reward for the blessings of motherhood. When the Lord delivers the Israelites from their adversaries, they will have the opportunity to restore the temple and Jerusalem, and they will be blessed with fruitful offspring. These children will embody the community of God.

The Prophet metaphorically refers to sleep as a form of rest, emphasizing its restorative qualities for humanity. He conveys that when we receive God’s watchful care, we are empowered to triumph over our adversaries, to build with ease, to live securely, to rest without anxiety, and to become parents of numerous offspring as God has promised. Indeed, the Lord has declared that He will make our descendants as countless as the grains of sand by the sea (Genesis 22:17). Additionally, the Prophet affirms, “This is the heritage of the Lord, the reward of the womb's fruit,” highlighting God’s covenant and the blessing of parenthood, akin to a divine gift bestowed upon those who place their trust in Him.

When David declares that God will grant sweet and restless slumber to His cherished ones, he implies that when God provides His devoted servants, particularly the Jews, relief and liberation from their adversaries, then the foundations of the temple and Jerusalem will be easily established. Additionally, there will be a flourishing of new life among them, as their descendants will become the rightful heirs and people of God. David esteemed this latter blessing as a great good, for among the Jews, the joy of procreation was held in high regard. These statements primarily refer to the Jewish people, although they can also be understood in a broader sense.

This is the work of the Almighty, a divine gift. Which mother could genuinely proclaim, "I will bring forth a child"? Which father could truthfully declare, "I will have a son"? This understanding is why the Word of God regards children not merely as the possessions of their parents but as belonging to God: "This is the heritage of the Lord, children, the reward of the fruit of the womb."

The Prophet presents a notable illustration that highlights what he has generally articulated: the endeavors of humanity are divinely favored, and their very existence is orchestrated by God. While worldly philosophers often deceive themselves into believing that human procreation occurs solely through human means, independent of divine intervention, the Prophet aims to rectify this misunderstanding. He asserts that children born of their earthly parents are, in fact, the possession of God, and the result of His grace. This underscores that births do not occur randomly but are instead a manifestation of God's sovereign will, who allocates to each individual their portion.

The inscription in the Hebrew Psalter attributes this psalm to Solomon, and there is little substantial opposition to this claim. In fact, the parallels between verses 1-3 and passages from Proverbs and 2 Samuel—such as the notion that God will grant His beloved ones their desires in dreams—provide strong support for Solomon's authorship. During his reign, grand edifices were established, including a temple for the Lord and a palace for himself; Jerusalem and other cities were fortified, and garrisons were stationed there. Under Solomon’s leadership, the Israelites engaged in extensive commerce, striving to attain wealth despite facing considerable challenges.

The prophet, inspired by the Holy Spirit, announces the singular omnipotence of God, the Sustainer of everything, who initiates and fulfills all good endeavors intended for righteousness and usefulness. The term "house," referenced in this psalm, symbolizes the Orthodox Church, comprised of all nations, perfected by the grace of Christ, the Lord, who is both the initiator and the completer of our faith. This holy Church, established by Christ the Savior, is eternally preserved in heaven (1 Pet. 1:4). The metaphorical city represents human flesh, which is sustained solely by God; devoid of divine oversight, it becomes mere dust and ashes.