Psalms 127

1 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.

A Song of the Ascents, by Solomon. If Jehovah doth not build the house, In vain have its builders laboured at it, If Jehovah doth not watch a city, In vain hath a watchman waked.

2 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.

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

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

Lo, an inheritance of Jehovah [are] sons, A reward [is] the fruit of the womb.

4 Like arrows wielded by warriors, are the children of youth.

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

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

O the happiness of the man Who hath filled his quiver with them, They are not ashamed, For they speak with enemies in the gate!