Psalm 129:8 Neither do they which go by say, The blessing of the LORD be on you: we bless you in the name of the LORD. Dr. S. Cox writes, "It is a graphic picture of an ancient harvest scene. The field is thick with waving barley. The reapers cut their way into it with sickles, grasping the ears till their arms are full. The overseer is busy urging on the reapers. Vessels filled probably with the rough local wine are at hand, that the heated and thirsty laborers may refresh themselves at need. As the day advances, the master of the estate comes to see how the work goes on. With grave, pious courtesy he salutes his 'young men' with the words, 'Jehovah be with you!' and they reply, 'Jehovah bless thee!' It is true that this was oftentimes a mere formality; but, even if not altogether realized, it shows what the social relations should be." I. EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYED SERVE EACH OTHER. So much mistake is made, and so much confusion is caused, by the sentiment that only the employed serve the employer. Things would right themselves if it was fully apprehended that the service is mutual. We think the rewards of service ought to come to the employed; but if the employers also serve, the rewards of service ought to come also to the employer. If they come to either the one or the other in undue measures, there must be something wrong in the social system, which needs readjusting. II. EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYED NEED TO TRUST EACH OTHER. The complications of modern labor problems arise from the mischievous work of demagogues, who set class against class. The spirit of Christianity encourages mutual trust, and tends to bring classes together, and helps each class to consider the claims and needs of other classes. The dream of a universal equality has delighted and amused humanity in all ages, and it will to the end of the age. But it will never be more than a dream. Nature makes classes, and will go on making them; and Paradise can never be gained otherwise than by the laborer and his master realizing the Christly spirit of mutual service. The master must trust the servant to render his best of service; and the laborer must trust his master to give a fair and relatively proportionate reward. - R.T. Parallel Verses KJV: Neither do they which go by say, The blessing of the LORD be upon you: we bless you in the name of the LORD. |
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