Psalms 127

1 A song of ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman wakes 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 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.

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

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

4 Like arrows wielded by warriors, 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 Happy the man who has filled his quiver full of them. He will not be ashamed when he speaks with 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].