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Psalm 127
Contemporary English Version

(A song by Solomon for worship.)

Only the Lord Can Bless a Home

1 Without the help of the Lord
it is useless to build a home
    or to guard a city.
2 It is useless to get up early
and stay up late
    in order to earn a living.
God takes care of his own,
    even while they sleep.[a]

3 Children are a blessing
    and a gift from the Lord.
4 Having a lot of children
to take care of you
    in your old age
is like a warrior
    with a lot of arrows.
5 The more you have,
    the better off you will be,
because they will protect you
when your enemies
    attack you in court.

Footnotes

  1. 127.2 God … sleep: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
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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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