Psalms 127

1 A Song of degrees for Solomon. Except the LORD shall build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD shall keep the city, the watchman waketh in vain.

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:

2 It is vain for you to rise early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

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.

3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

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

4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.

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

5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

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