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A song from Solomon for going up to the Temple.

127 If it is not the Lord who builds a house,
    the builders are wasting their time.
If it is not the Lord who watches over the city,
    the guards are wasting their time.

It is a waste of time to get up early and stay up late,
    trying to make a living.
The Lord provides for those he loves,
    even while they are sleeping.

Children are a gift[a] from the Lord,
    a reward from a mother’s womb.
A young man’s sons
    are like the arrows in a soldier’s hand.
The man who fills his quiver with sons
    will be very blessed.
He will never be defeated
    when he opposes his enemy at the city gates.[b]

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 127:3 gift Literally, “inheritance.” This usually means the land God gave to each family in Israel.
  2. Psalm 127:5 city gates This can refer to either a battle to protect the city or to a court case held in this public place.

Psalm 127

A song of ascents. Of Solomon.

Unless the Lord builds(A) the house,
    the builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches(B) over the city,
    the guards stand watch in vain.
In vain you rise early
    and stay up late,
toiling for food(C) to eat—
    for he grants sleep(D) to[a] those he loves.(E)

Children are a heritage from the Lord,
    offspring a reward(F) from him.
Like arrows(G) in the hands of a warrior
    are children born in one’s youth.
Blessed is the man
    whose quiver is full of them.(H)
They will not be put to shame
    when they contend with their opponents(I) in court.(J)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 127:2 Or eat— / for while they sleep he provides for