Psalms 127

1 Unless the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it. Unless the Lord keep the city, he watcheth in vain that keepeth it.

A Song of Ascents. By Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, they who build it labour in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman guards it in vain.

2 It is vain for you to rise before light, rise ye after you have sitten, you that eat the bread of sorrow. When he shall give sleep to his beloved,

It is vain for you to rise up early, to stay up late, eating the bread of toil, for he gives sleep to his loved ones.

3 Behold the inheritance of the Lord are children: the reward, the fruit of the womb.

Behold, children are a heritage of the LORD. The fruit of the womb is his reward.

4 As arrows in the hand of the mighty, so the children of them that have been shaken.

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

5 Blessed is the man that hath filled the desire with them; he shall not be confounded when he shall speak to his enemies in the gate.

Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them. They won’t be disappointed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.