PSALM 127

During the winter months, there is a Jewish tradition of studying a special set of psalms - "tehilim" - on Shabbat afternoons. These psalms, #120-#134, are known as the Shir HaMaalot/Songs of Ascent psalms, as that is the first phrase in each psalm.  Each week, one of these psalms will be presented here.  We have so far covered Psalm 104, the Psalm for the New Month, and Psalms 120-126. This week, we look at Psalm 126, which we can find in Sefaria at https://www.sefaria.org/Psalms.127.2?lang=bi.

This psalm is attributed to King Solomon. It deals with family and household issues, and has often been compared with text from Ecclesiastes/Koheleth (a work also traditionally attributed to Solomon) about the vanity of worldly cares in comparison with the necessity of acknowledging G-d as necessary for our successes.

Psalm 127

A song of ascents, of Solomon.

Unless G-d builds the house, its builders labor in vain on it;

Unless G-d watches over the city, the guard keeps vigil in vain.

In vain do you rise early and stay up late, you who toil for the bread you eat;

G-d’s loved ones are provided for while they sleep.

Sons are the provision (heritage) of G-d; the fruit of the womb, divine reward.

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are sons born to a man in his youth.

Happy is the man who fills his quiver with them; they shall not be put to shame when they contend with the enemy in the gate.