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Psalm 127
Easy-to-Read Version

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.

2 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.

3 Children are a gift[a] from the Lord,
    a reward from a mother’s womb.
4 A young man’s sons
    are like the arrows in a soldier’s hand.
5 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.
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Psalm 127
New International Version

Psalm 127

A song of ascents. Of Solomon.

1 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.
2 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)

3 Children are a heritage from the Lord,
    offspring a reward(F) from him.
4 Like arrows(G) in the hands of a warrior
    are children born in one’s youth.
5 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
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Psalm 127
King James Version

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.

2 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.

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

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

5 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.

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Copyright © 2006 by Bible League International

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