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

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

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

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

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!

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.