Psalmorum 127

1 Canticum graduum Salomonis. Nisi Dominus ædificaverit domum, in vanum laboraverunt qui ædificant eam. Nisi Dominus custodierit civitatem, frustra vigilat qui custodit eam.

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.

2 Vanum est vobis ante lucem surgere: surgite postquam sederitis, qui manducatis panem doloris. Cum dederit dilectis suis somnum.

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

3 Ecce hereditas Domini filii: merces, fructus ventris.

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

4 Sicut sagittæ in manu potentis: ita filii excussorum.

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

5 Beatus vir qui implevit desiderium suum ex ipsis: non confundetur cum loquetur inimicis suis in porta.

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!