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. By Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, they who build it labour in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman guards it 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.

It is vain for you to rise up early, to stay up late, eating the bread of toil, for he gives sleep to his loved ones.

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

Behold, children are a heritage of the LORD. 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.

As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so 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 is the man who has his quiver full of them. They won’t be disappointed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.