The virtue of God's blessing, 1, 2. Good children are his gift, 3-5.
1 [A Song of Degrees for Solomon.] Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it. Unless the LORD keeps the city, the watchman wakes in vain.
2 It is vain for you to rise early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows, for he gives his beloved sleep.
3 Behold, children are a heritage of the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man, so are children of the youth.
5 Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them. They shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.
Matthew Henry Commentary - Psalms, Chapter 127
John Calvin's Chapter Summary:
This Psalm shows that the order of society, both political and domestic, is maintained solely by the blessing of God, and not by the policy, diligence, or wisdom of men; and that the procreating of children is his peculiar gift.