Psalm 127

THE BLESSING OF THE LORD

A song of ascents. Of Solomon.

1 Unless the Lord builds a house,

its builders labor over it in vain;o

unless the Lord watches over a city,

the watchman stays alert in vain.p

2 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.C,q

3 Sons are indeed a heritage from the Lord,

offspring, a reward.r

4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior

are the sons born in one’s youth.s

5 Happy is the man who has filled his quiver with them.t

They will never be put to shame

when they speak with their enemies at the city gate.u