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 for Solomon. Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh [but] 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 sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: [for] so he giveth his beloved sleep.

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

Lo, children [are] an heritage of the LORD: [and] the fruit of the womb [is his] reward.

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

As arrows [are] in the hand of a mighty man; so [are] children of the 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 his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.