Psalms 127

1 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.

A Song of Ascents. Solomon’s. If, Yahweh, build not the house, in vain, have the builders of it toiled thereon, If, Yahweh, watch not the city, in vain, hath the watchman kept awake:

2 [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.

Vain for you, —to be early in rising, to be late in lying down, to be eating the bread of wearisome toil, So, would he give his beloved one sleep.

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

Lo! an inheritance from Yahweh, are children, A reward, the fruit of the womb:

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

As arrows in the hand of a warrior, so, are the children of young men.

5 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.

How happy the man who hath filled his quiver with them! They will not be ashamed, but will speak with enemies in the gate.