Psalms 127

1 If the Lord is not helping the builders, then the building of a house is to no purpose: if the Lord does not keep the town, the watchman keeps his watch for nothing.

1A gradual canticle. Blessed are all they that fear the Lord: that walk in his ways.

1A Song of the Ascents, by Solomon. If Jehovah doth not build the house, In vain have its builders laboured at it, If Jehovah doth not watch a city, In vain hath a watchman waked.

2It is of no use for you to get up early, and to go late to your rest, with the bread of sorrow for your food; for the Lord gives to his loved ones in sleep.

2For thou shalt eat the labours of thy hands: blessed art thou, and it shall be well with thee.

2Vain for you who are rising early, Who delay sitting, eating the bread of griefs, So He giveth to His beloved one sleep.

3See, sons are a heritage from the Lord; the fruit of the body is his reward.

3Thy wife as a fruitful vine, on the sides of thy house. Thy children as olive plants, round about thy table.

3Lo, an inheritance of Jehovah <FI>are<Fi> sons, A reward <FI>is<Fi> the fruit of the womb.

4Like arrows in the hand of a man of war, are the children of the young.

4Behold, thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord.

4As arrows in the hand of a mighty one, So <FI>are<Fi> the sons of the young men.

5Happy is the man who has a good store of them; he will not be put to shame, but his cause will be supported by them against his haters.

5May the Lord bless thee out of Sion: and mayst thou see the good things of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.

5O the happiness of the man Who hath filled his quiver with them, They are not ashamed, For they speak with enemies in the gate!

6(not in this translation)

6And mayst thou see thy children's children, peace upon Israel.

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