< 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 ASCENTS. BY SOLOMON. If YHWH does not build the house, Its builders have labored at it in vain, If YHWH does not watch a city, A watchman has awoken in vain.
2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for bread to eat— for He gives sleep to His beloved.
Vain for you who are rising early, Who delay sitting, eating the bread of griefs, So He gives sleep to His beloved one.
3 Children are indeed a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is His reward.
Behold, sons [are] an inheritance of YHWH, The fruit of the womb [is] a reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are children born in one’s youth.
As arrows in the hand of a mighty one, So [are] the sons of the young men.
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.
O the blessedness of the man Who has filled his quiver with them, They are not ashamed, For they speak with enemies in the gate!