Psalm 127

The Blessing of the Lord

A Solomonic song of ascents.

Unless the Lord builds a house,
its builders labor over it in vain;(A)
unless the Lord watches over a city,
the watchman stays alert in vain.(B)
In vain you get up early and stay up late,
working hard to have enough food—
yes, He gives sleep to the one He loves.[a](C)

Sons are indeed a heritage from the Lord,
children, a reward.(D)
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the sons born in one’s youth.(E)
Happy is the man who has filled his quiver with them.(F)
Such men will never be put to shame
when they speak with their enemies at the city gate.(G)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 127:2 Or yes, He gives such things to His loved ones while [they] sleep

127 Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

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

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

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

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.