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 psalm of the steps, or the goings up. By Solomon.” Except the LORD build the house, The builders labor in vain; Except the LORD guard the city, The watchman waketh 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 ye rise up early, and go to rest late, And eat the bread of care! The same giveth he his beloved one in sleep.

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

Behold! sons are an inheritance from the LORD, And the fruit of the womb is his gift.

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

As arrows in the hand of the warrior, So are the sons of young men:

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!

Happy the man that hath his quiver full of them! They shall not be put to shame, When they speak with adversaries in the gate.