Psalms 127

1 A song of ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain; unless the LORD protects the city, its watchmen stand guard in vain.

“A song of the degrees for Solomon.” Unless the Lord do build the house, in vain labor they that build on it: unless the Lord guard the city, in vain is the watchman wakeful.

2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for bread to eat— for He gives sleep to His beloved.

It is in vain for you to be early in rising, to be late in sitting up, eating the bread of painful toils; [for] so doth he give unto his beloved during sleep.

3 Children are indeed a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is His reward.

Lo, children are an inheritance from the Lord: a reward is the fruit of the body.

4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are children born in one’s youth.

Like arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are the children of youth.

5 Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. He will not be put to shame when he confronts the enemies at the gate.

Happy is the man that hath his quiver filled with them: they shall not be put to shame, when they do speak with the enemies in the gate.