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 degrees for Solomon. Except the LORD shall build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD shall keep the city, the watchman waketh in vain.

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 vain for you to rise early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

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

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

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

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

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 that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.