Psalm 127 (English Standard Version)

Psalm 127

Unless the LORD Builds the House

A Song of^(A) Ascents. Of Solomon.

 ¹Unless the LORD builds the house,
   those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the LORD^(B) watches over the city,
   the watchman stays awake in vain.
²It is in vain that you rise up early
   and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious^(C) toil;
   for he gives to his^(D) beloved^(E) sleep.

 ³Behold,^(F) children are a heritage from the LORD,
   ^(G) the fruit of the womb a reward.
⁴Like arrows in the hand of^(H) a warrior
   are the children^[a] of one’s youth.
⁵Blessed is the man
   who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame
   when he speaks with his enemies^(I) in the gate.^[b]