weeping, a man of forrows, and acquainted with grief, bearing precious feed," and fowing it around him, till at length his own body was buried, like a grain of wheat, in the furrow of the grave. But he arofe, and is now in heaven; from whence he " thall "doubtlefs come again with rejoicing," with the voice of the archangel and the trump of God, "bring"ing his fheaves with him." Then fhall every man receive the fruit of his works, and have praise of God.

PSALM CXXVII.

ARGUMENT.

If this Pfalm were written by Solomon, or by David for Solomon, as the title importeth, it was probably used again at the time of rebuilding the city and temple, after the return from Babylon. But, indeed it is a Pfalm which can never be out of feason, the design of it's author being to teach us the necefsity of a dependance upon God and his blessing, in every work to which we fet our hands. What is faid with regard to an earthly house, city, and family, extendeth also to the fpiritual houfe, city, and family of Chrift, which are now, what Jerufalem, the temple, and the people of Ifrael, were in old time.

1. Except the LORD build the houfe, they labour

in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

In every undertaking, the bleffing of God muft accompany the labours of man, to render them effectual. No work can profper without Him, nor can any defign mifcarry under his favour and protection, which are equally neceffary to be obtained by the builder in time of peace, and by the foldier in time of war. But they, above all men, ought to implore the divine grace and benediction, who are employed either in building or defending the spiritual house and city of God; especially as the fame perfons, like the Jews after the captivity, furrounded by enemies always ready to obstruct the work, are often obliged to hold a sword in one hand, while they build with the other. Our own edification in faith and holiness must likewise be carried on by us in this attitude, by reason of the many temptations which are continually affailing us. It may also be remarked, that both Solomon and Zerubbabel had vainly laboured to conftruct the firft or the fecond material temple, unlefs Jehovah himfelf had built the true House for the reception of his glory, that is to fay, the Temple of Chrift's body, and, after it was fallen down, had reared it again, by a refurrection from the dead.

2. It is vain for you to rise up early, to fit up late, to eat the bread of forrows: for fo he giveth his beloved fleep.

The Pfalmift doth not, certainly, intend to fay, that labour and diligence are vain, but that they are fo, except the Lord be with the labourer: the business is not to be done by all the industry and pains,

all

all the carking and caring in the world, without Him; whereas, if his aid be called in, if part of our time be spent in prayer, not the whole of it in prayerlefs toiling and moiling, our work will become eafier, and go on better; a folicitude and anxiety for it's fuccefs and completion will no longer prey upon our minds by day, and break our reft at night; we fhall cheerfully fulfil our daily tasks, and then, with confidence and refignation, lay our heads upon our pillows, and God will "give to his beloved" a sweet and undisturbed "fleep," which fhall fit them to return every morning, with renewed vigour and alacrity, to their stated employments. This feemeth to be the import of the verfe. An obfcurity has been occafioned in the tranflations, by rendering the adverb fo; "fo he giveth his beloved fleep;" in which form, this last part of the verfe will not connect with what goes before. But if be tranflated, like its kindred particle N "SURELY* he giveth "his beloved fleep;" or, as Dr. Hammond renders it, SINCE he giveth his beloved fleep;" the difficulty will vanish, and the sense appear to be, as above. Nor can we eafily find a more profitable piece of instruction, with regard to the management of all our concerns, temporal and spiritual.

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3. Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

The labours of mankind, first in building houses and cities, and then in guarding and fecuring their

This is the fecond of the fenfes given to this particle by Noldius, who cites, in confirmation of it, 1 Sam. ix. 13. 1 Kings xx. 40.

pof

poffeffions, are undergone, not with a view to themfelves alone, but to their families, which they would establish and perpetuate. The Pfalmift, therefore, in the preceding verfes, having taught men to expect a happy fettlement only from the favour of Jehovah, now directs them to look up to him for the farther bleffing of a numerous and virtuous progeny. He can in a moment blaft the most fruitful ftock, or he can "make the barren woman to keep houfe, and to "become a joyful mother of children. Lo, children are an heritage of Jehovah;" an heritage which he beftows on thofe who fear him; "the fruit of the "womb is a reward" conferred by him, where he fees it will be á bleffing indeed, upon faithful and pious parents. St. Paul calls the converts made by his miniftry, his "children;" and all believers are the Children of Chrift, the "heritage" given him by his Father, the "reward" of his righteous life, and meritorious death; as it is written, "I will give thee "the heathen for thine inheritance. He fhall fee of "the travail of his foul, and fhall be fatisfied." Pf. ii. 8 Ifai. liii. 1 1.

4. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man: fo are children of the youth.

Children, when well educated, are like fo many arrows in the hand of a ftrong man;" ready winged with duty and love, to fly to the mark; polished and keen, to grace and maintain the cause of their parents, to defend them from hoftile invafions, and inftantly to repel every affailant. The Apoftles and first Chriftians were arrows in the hand of Meffiah, with which he encountered his enemies, and fubdued

the

the nations to the faith. When by the fplendor of their fanctity, the power of their miracles, and the efficacy of their preaching, they pierced the hearts of thousands and ten thoufands, what were they but "arrows in the hand of the Mighty One ?" And in this inftance likewife it may truly be faid, that no well nurtured fon of Chrift and the Church will hear his father dishonoured, or defpife his Mother when

fhe is old.

5. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them they shall not be ashamed, but they fhall Speak with the enemies in the gate.

In a houfe full of dutiful children confifteth the happiness of their parents, who then can never want friends, friends, that will at no time be "afhamed," but will at all times rejoice, to appear for them, to meet their enemies" and accufers" in the gate," or place of judgment *; there to answer any charge against them, to vindicate them in their perfons, their good name, or their property. It is a glorious fight to behold children thus ftanding forth in the defence of their parents. In the multitude of true believers confift the glory of Chrift, and the riches of the church. How forward were the primitive Chriftians to meet the enemies of thefe their fpiritual parents "in the gate," how ready, in their caufe, to speak openly, and, having witneffed a good confeffion, to

Mr. Merrick obferves, that the gate was fometimes the feat of war, as well as the place of judicature. "Then was war in "the gates." Judges v. 8. He mentions a remarkable Chinese proverb: "When a fon is born into a family, a bow and arrow "are hung before the gate."

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