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, those who build it labour in vain. Unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman wakes 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 finish so late, and so eat sorrow’s bread; for he cares for his loved ones in their sleep.

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

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

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

Like arrows wielded by warriors, are the children of 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!

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