Psalm 127

English Standard Version

Unless the Lord Builds the House

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

127 Unless 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]

Footnotes

Psalm 127:4 Or sons
Psalm 127:5 Or They shall not be put to shame when they speak with their enemies in the gate

Psalm 127

The Voice

Psalm 127

A song of Solomon for those journeying to worship.

Psalm 127 is attributed to Solomon, underscoring the futility of human endeavor apart from God. It is similar in tone and theme to other wisdom literature.

¹Unless the Eternal builds the house,
    those who labor to raise it will have worked for nothing.
Unless the Eternal stands watch over the city,
    those who guard it have wasted their time.
²God provides for His own.
    It is pointless to get up early,
    work hard, and go to bed late
Anxiously laboring for food to eat;
    for God provides for those He loves, even while they are sleeping.

³Know this: children are a gift from the Eternal;
    the fruit of the womb is His reward.
⁴Your sons born in your youth are a protection,
    like arrows in the hand of a warrior.
⁵Happy is the man who has
    his quiver full, for they will help and protect him when he is old.
He will not be humiliated when he is accused at the gate,
    for his sons will stand with him against his enemies.

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Voice (VOICE)

Psalm 127 English Standard Version