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 Jehovah doth not build the house, In vain have its builders laboured at it, If Jehovah doth not watch a city, In vain hath a watchman waked.

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 giveth to 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 of Jehovah [are] sons, A reward [is] 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 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 happiness of the man Who hath filled his quiver with them, They are not ashamed, For they speak with enemies in the gate!