Psalms 127

1 “A song of the degrees for Solomon.” Unless the Lord do build the house, in vain labor they that build on it: unless the Lord guard the city, in vain is the watchman wakeful.

A song of ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman wakes in vain.

2 It is in vain for you to be early in rising, to be late in sitting up, eating the bread of painful toils; [for] so doth he give unto his beloved during sleep.

In vain you rise early, and finish so late, and so eat sorrow’s bread; for he cares for his loved ones in their sleep.

3 Lo, children are an inheritance from the Lord: a reward is the fruit of the body.

Children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb, a reward.

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

Like arrows wielded by warriors, are the children of youth.

5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver filled with them: they shall not be put to shame, when they do speak with the enemies in the gate.

Happy the man who has filled his quiver full of them. He will not be ashamed when he speaks with enemies in the gate.