Psalms 127

1 Unless the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it. Unless the Lord keep the city, he watcheth in vain that keepeth it.

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.

2 It is vain for you to rise before light, rise ye after you have sitten, you that eat the bread of sorrow. When he shall give sleep to his beloved,

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.

3 Behold the inheritance of the Lord are children: the reward, the fruit of the womb.

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

4 As arrows in the hand of the mighty, so the children of them that have been shaken.

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

5 Blessed is the man that hath filled the desire with them; he shall not be confounded when he shall speak to his enemies in the gate.

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.