Psalms 127

1Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

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 vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved 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.

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

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

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 that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

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.

6(not in this translation)