Psalms 127

1 A Song of Ascents. Solomon’s. If, Yahweh, build not the house, in vain, have the builders of it toiled thereon, If, Yahweh, watch not the city, in vain, hath the watchman kept awake:

“A song of the degrees for Solomon.” Unless the Lord do build the house, in vain labor they that build on it: unless the Lord guard the city, in vain is the watchman wakeful.

2 Vain for you, —to be early in rising, to be late in lying down, to be eating the bread of wearisome toil, So, would he give his beloved one sleep.

It is in vain for you to be early in rising, to be late in sitting up, eating the bread of painful toils; [for] so doth he give unto his beloved during sleep.

3 Lo! an inheritance from Yahweh, are children, A reward, the fruit of the womb:

Lo, children are an inheritance from the Lord: a reward is the fruit of the body.

4 As arrows in the hand of a warrior, so, are the children of young men.

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

5 How happy the man who hath filled his quiver with them! They will not be ashamed, but will speak with enemies in the gate.

Happy is the man that hath his quiver filled with them: they shall not be put to shame, when they do speak with the enemies in the gate.