Psalm 127

Common English Bible

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.
²It 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.

³No doubt about it: children are a gift from the Lord;
    the fruit of the womb is a divine reward.
⁴The children born when one is young
    are like arrows in the hand of a warrior.
⁵The person who fills a quiver full with them is truly happy!
    They won’t be ashamed when arguing with their enemies in the gate.