psalm

A song from Solomon for going up to the Temple.

127 
If it is not the Lord who builds a house,

the builders are wasting their time.

If it is not the Lord who watches over the city,

the guards are wasting their time.

It is a waste of time to get up early and stay up late,

trying to make a living.

The Lord provides for those he loves,

even while they are sleeping.

Children are a gift[a] from the Lord,

a reward from a mother’s womb.

A young man’s sons

are like the arrows in a soldier’s hand.

The man who fills his quiver with sons

will be very blessed.

He will never be defeated

when he opposes his enemy at the city gates.[b]

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 127:3 gift Literally, “inheritance.” This usually means the land God gave to each family in Israel.
  2. Psalm 127:5 city gates This can refer to either a battle to protect the city or to a court case held in this public place.