Изъяснение псалма 126-го.

“Song of Degrees” by Solomonov. In ancient times, Solomon built God's temple, and Zerubbabel, which was destroyed by the Babylonians, restored it. I think that he is called Solomon, as the leading generation from Solomon, and as renewing Solomon’s work; because the prophetic word does not correspond to Solomon's construction, but to that completed by Zerubbabel upon his return. At this time, the Jews undertook to build, but neighboring nations prevented them, and they themselves often fought with them and imposed the kingdom of Persia on them. And this is revealed more clearly in the writings of Ezra. Therefore Zerubbabel, Joshua the son of Shealtiel, and others with them, adorned with piety, offer this instruction, read in the psalm. Ps.127:1. 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 watches in vain. “Unless the Lord builds a house, the builders labor in vain; unless the Lord preserves the city, it builds in vain.” And those who build and watch, let no one rely on their own strength, but let them call upon God’s help. With her assistance, both are convenient, but when God hesitates to give help, then human efforts are in vain. Ps.126:2. It is in vain that you rise early, sit up late, eat the bread of sorrow, while He gives sleep to His beloved. Ps.126:3. This is the inheritance from the Lord: children; the reward from Him is the fruit of the womb. “It is in vain for you to exercise in vain: you will rise gray, eating the bread of sickness.” The word “stand up” does not have an imperative, but an indefinite meaning. The Prophet says that without the assistance of God of all kinds, everything is in vain, and to exercise and rise to guard the city and for the intended creation. Therefore, those who are sick and eat bread due to the rise of enemies are advised to have hope in God. “When He gives sleep to His beloved” “Behold the heritage of the Lord, the reward of the fruit of the womb.” The Prophet figuratively called tranquility here “sleep”; because sleep gives people rest. Therefore, he says, when God grants us His care, we will be able to overcome our enemies, build without labor, live in safety, sleep without worry, and become fathers of many children according to God’s promise. For God promised to make our race “like the sand that covers the sea” (Gen. 22:17). The Prophet said this here too: “This is the heritage of the Lord, the reward of the fruit of the womb,” that is, God’s promise and blessing of childbearing, as if some reward were given to us who trusted in Him. Ps.126:4. Like arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are young sons. “Like arrows in the hand of the strong, like the sons of the shaken.” And Theodotion translated: like arrows in the hand of a strong man, so are the sons of youth. Aquila and Symmachus also translated. The Prophet says that, trusting in God, we will not only be numerous, but also strong, like some arrows shot by the hand of a strong man, and we, who are now weak and in extreme poverty (this means the word: “shaken out”), having received help from above, will become strong. Ps.126:5. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! They will not be left in shame when they speak to their enemies at the gates. “Blessed is he who fulfills his desire from them,” that is, from enemies; because not only will we not be defeated, but we will also overcome them, and everyone will envy us. “They are not ashamed when they speak to their enemies at the gates,” that is, when in front of the gates we reason with the ambassadors sent from the enemies. He said this in accordance with ancient custom. For the envoys sent were not allowed inside the gates, but they were given an answer outside the gates. By this the Prophet shows everyone the invincibility of hope in God. You might be interested in: