Psalms 127

1 A Song of the Ascents, by Solomon. If Jehovah doth not build the house, In vain have its builders laboured at it, If Jehovah doth not watch a city, In vain hath a watchman waked.

A song of ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain; unless the LORD protects the city, its watchmen stand guard in vain.

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

In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for bread to eat— for He gives sleep to His beloved.

3 Lo, an inheritance of Jehovah [are] sons, A reward [is] the fruit of the womb.

Children are indeed a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is His reward.

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

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are children born in one’s youth.

5 O the happiness of the man Who hath filled his quiver with them, They are not ashamed, For they speak with enemies in the gate!

Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. He will not be put to shame when he confronts the enemies at the gate.