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 Ascents. Solomon’s. If, Yahweh, build not the house, in vain, have the builders of it toiled thereon, If, Yahweh, watch not the city, in vain, hath the watchman kept awake:

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, —to be early in rising, to be late in lying down, to be eating the bread of wearisome toil, So, would he give his beloved one sleep.

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

Lo! an inheritance from Yahweh, are children, A reward, the fruit of the womb:

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

As arrows in the hand of a warrior, so, are the children of 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.

How happy the man who hath filled his quiver with them! They will not be ashamed, but will speak with enemies in the gate.