Psalms 127

1 A Song of the going up. Of Solomon. If the Lord is not helping the builders, then the building of a house is to no purpose: if the Lord does not keep the town, the watchman keeps his watch for nothing.

A Song of degrees. Of Solomon. Unless Jehovah build the house, in vain do its builders labour in it; unless Jehovah keep the city, the keeper watcheth in vain:

2 It is of no use for you to get up early, and to go late to your rest, with the bread of sorrow for your food; for the Lord gives to his loved ones in sleep.

It is vain for you to rise up early, to lie down late, to eat the bread of sorrows: so to his beloved one he giveth sleep.

3 See, sons are a heritage from the Lord; the fruit of the body is his reward.

Lo, children are an inheritance from Jehovah, [and] the fruit of the womb a reward.

4 Like arrows in the hand of a man of war, are the children of the young.

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

5 Happy is the man who has a good store of them; he will not be put to shame, but his cause will be supported by them against his haters.

Happy is the man that hath filled his quiver with them. They shall not be ashamed when they speak with enemies in the gate.