Psalms 127

1 [A Song of Ascents. By Solomon.] Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman guards it in vain.

If people are building a house without [knowing whether] it is Yahweh’s [will to build it], they are building it in vain. [Similarly], if Yahweh does not protect a city, it is useless for guards/sentries to stay awake [to tell people if their enemies come to attack it].

2 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.

It is [also] useless to arise very early and go to sleep late at night in order that you can work hard [all day] to [earn money to buy] food, because Yahweh gives food to those whom he loves.

3 Look, children are a heritage of the LORD. The fruit of the womb is a reward.

Children are a gift [that comes to parents] from Yahweh; they are a reward/blessing from him.

4 As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are the children of youth.

If a man has sons while he is still young, [when they grow up, they will be able to help him defend his family] like [SIM] a soldier [can defend himself if] he has [a bow and] arrows in his hand.

5 Blessed is the man who has his quiver full of them. They won't be disappointed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.

A man [who has many sons] is [very] happy, like [MET] [a soldier who has many arrows] in his quiver is very happy. If a man [with his many grown sons is taken] by his enemies to the place where they decide matters, his enemies will never be able to defeat that man, [because his sons will help to defend him].