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 Yahweh builds the house, they work uselessly, those who build it. Unless Yahweh guards the city, the watchman stands guard uselessly.

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.

It is useless for you to rise up early, to come home late, or to eat the bread of hard work, for Yahweh provides for his beloved as they sleep.

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

See, children are a heritage from Yahweh, and the fruit of the womb is a reward from him.

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

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's 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.

How blessed is the man that has his quiver full of them. He will not be put to shame when he confronts his enemies in the gate.