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 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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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!