| Psalms 127:1
| A gradual canticle. Blessed are all they that fear the Lord; that walk in his ways.
| Canticle. Being a sequel to the former [psalm], (Calmet) and similar to the 111th, as both promise felicity to the captives at their return, if they prove faithful, 2 Esdras 9:38. (Ferrand.) --- It is a sort of epithalamium. (Moller.) --- Both temporal and spiritual blessings are set before us. (Berthier) --- Ways. Many saints have not received temporal rewards; and this confirms our faith that there is a world to come. (Calmet) --- In effect, no temporal advantages are here specified, as they are below. (Berthier)
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| Psalms 127:2
| For thou shalt eat the labours of thy hands: blessed art thou, and it shall be well with thee.
| Hands. The idle are not entitled to blessings, which God will bestow on the industrious who fear him, preserving them from evils, Leviticus 26:16., and Deuteronomy 28:30. (Calmet) (2 Corinthians 3:10.) --- Some have explained karpon, "fruits:" though it here means hands. (Berthier)
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| Psalms 127:3
| Thy wife as a fruitful vine, on the sides of thy house. Thy children as olive plants round about thy table.
| Sides. Against which vines were planted. (Calmet) --- The married people who fear God, shall commonly have a numerous posterity; or their souls shall produce many good works in the Church, which springs from our Saviour's side. Children denote such good works. (Worthington) --- Plants. Psalm 143:12. (Homer, Odyssey 6:163.)
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| Psalms 127:4
| Behold, thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord.
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| Psalms 127:5
| May the Lord bless thee out of Sion: and mayst thou see the good things of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.
| Sion. Where he displayed his bounty. (Calmet) --- Jerusalem. In heaven, 1 Corinthians 15:19. (Berthier) --- Mayst thou live happily in the holy city, after thy long captivity. (Calmet)
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| Psalms 127:6
| And mayst thou see thy children's children, peace upon Israel.
| Israel. This is best secured by a well-regulated and numerous people. (Berthier) --- The good works, performed on earth, will be rewarded in heaven. (Worthington) --- We shall rejoice in the spiritual children, whom we shall have begotten. (Menochius)
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