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

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

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

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

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 the children of 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!

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.