Psalm 127

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

Psalm 127

God’s Blessings in the Home

A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.

¹Unless the Lord builds the house,
    those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord guards the city,
    the guard keeps watch in vain.^(A)
²It is in vain that you rise up early
    and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil,
    for he gives sleep to his beloved.^[a]^(B)

³Sons are indeed a heritage from the Lord,
    the fruit of the womb a reward.^(C)
⁴Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
    are the sons of one’s youth.
⁵Happy is the man who has
    his quiver full of them.
He shall not be put to shame
    when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.^(D)

Footnotes

127.2 Or for he provides for his beloved during sleep

Psalm 127

The Message

127 ^1-2If God doesn’t build the house,
    the builders only build shacks.
If God doesn’t guard the city,
    the night watchman might as well nap.
It’s useless to rise early and go to bed late,
    and work your worried fingers to the bone.
Don’t you know he enjoys
    giving rest to those he loves?

^3-5Don’t you see that children are God’s best gift?
    the fruit of the womb his generous legacy?
Like a warrior’s fistful of arrows
    are the children of a vigorous youth.
Oh, how blessed are you parents,
    with your quivers full of children!
Your enemies don’t stand a chance against you;
    you’ll sweep them right off your doorstep.

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVUE)

The Message (MSG)

Psalm 127 New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition