Psalm 127

The Blessing of the Lord

A song of ascents. Of Solomon.

Unless the Lord builds a house,
its builders labor over it in vain;(A)
unless the Lord watches over a city,
the watchman stays alert in vain.(B)
In vain you get up early and stay up late,
working hard to have enough food—
yes, he gives sleep to the one he loves.[a](C)

Sons are indeed a heritage from the Lord,
offspring, a reward.(D)
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the sons born in one’s youth.(E)
Happy is the man who has filled his quiver with them.(F)
They will never be put to shame
when they speak with their enemies at the city gate.(G)

Footnotes

  1. 127:2 Or yes, he gives such things to his loved ones while they sleep

Psalm 127

A pilgrimage song. Of Solomon.

127 Unless it is the Lord who builds the house,
    the builders’ work is pointless.
Unless it is the Lord who protects the city,
    the guard on duty is pointless.
It is pointless that you get up early and stay up late,
    eating the bread of hard labor
    because God gives sleep to those he loves.

No doubt about it: children are a gift from the Lord;
    the fruit of the womb is a divine reward.
The children born when one is young
    are like arrows in the hand of a warrior.
The person who fills a quiver full with them is truly happy!
    They won’t be ashamed when arguing with their enemies in the gate.

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