Psalms 127

1 A SONG OF THE ASCENTS. BY SOLOMON. If YHWH does not build the house, Its builders have labored at it in vain, If YHWH does not watch a city, A watchman has awoken in vain.

A song of ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain; unless the LORD protects the city, its watchmen stand guard in vain.

2 Vain for you who are rising early, Who delay sitting, eating the bread of griefs, So He gives sleep to His beloved one.

In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for bread to eat— for He gives sleep to His beloved.

3 Behold, sons [are] an inheritance of YHWH, The fruit of the womb [is] a reward.

Children are indeed a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is His reward.

4 As arrows in the hand of a mighty one, So [are] the sons of the young men.

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are children born in one’s youth.

5 O the blessedness of the man Who has filled his quiver with them, They are not ashamed, For they speak with enemies in the gate!

Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. He will not be put to shame when he confronts the enemies at the gate.