15:5 He does not charge interest when he lends his money. 1
He does not take bribes to testify against the innocent. 2
The one who lives like this 3 will never be upended.
A song of ascents, 5 by Solomon.
127:1 If the Lord does not build a house, 6
then those who build it work in vain.
If the Lord does not guard a city, 7
then the watchman stands guard in vain.
1 sn He does not charge interest. Such an individual is truly generous, and not simply concerned with making a profit.
2 tn Heb “a bribe against the innocent he does not take.” For other texts condemning the practice of a judge or witness taking a bribe, see Exod 23:8; Deut 16:19; 27:25; 1 Sam 8:3; Ezek 22:12; Prov 17:23.
3 tn Heb “does these things.”
4 sn Psalm 127. In this wisdom psalm the psalmist teaches that one does not find security by one’s own efforts, for God alone gives stability and security.
5 sn The precise significance of this title, which appears in Pss 120-134, is unclear. Perhaps worshipers recited these psalms when they ascended the road to Jerusalem to celebrate annual religious festivals. For a discussion of their background see L. C. Allen, Psalms 101-150 (WBC), 219-21.
6 sn The expression build a house may have a double meaning here. It may refer on the surface level to a literal physical structure in which a family lives, but at a deeper, metaphorical level it refers to building, perpetuating, and maintaining a family line. See Deut 25:9; Ruth 4:11; 1 Sam 2:35; 2 Sam 7:27; 1 Kgs 11:38; 1 Chr 17:10, 25. Having a family line provided security in ancient Israel.
7 sn The city symbolizes community security, which is the necessary framework for family security.