Psalms 127

1 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].

“A psalm of the steps, or the goings up. By Solomon.” Except the LORD build the house, The builders labor in vain; Except the LORD guard the city, The watchman waketh in vain.

2 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.

In vain ye rise up early, and go to rest late, And eat the bread of care! The same giveth he his beloved one in sleep.

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

Behold! sons are an inheritance from the LORD, And the fruit of the womb is his gift.

4 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.

As arrows in the hand of the warrior, So are the sons of young men:

5 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].

Happy the man that hath his quiver full of them! They shall not be put to shame, When they speak with adversaries in the gate.