Psalm 127

The Blessing of the Lord

^{Tools
1} A Solomonic song of ascents.

Unless the Lord builds a house,
its builders labor over it in vain;^(A)
unless the Lord watches over a city,
the watchman stays alert in vain.^(B)

^{Tools
2}

In vain you get up early and stay up late,
working hard to have enough food—
yes, He gives sleep to the one He loves.^(a)^(C)

^{Tools
3}

Sons are indeed a heritage from the Lord,
children, a reward.^(D)

^{Tools
4}

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the sons born in one’s youth.^(E)

^{Tools
5}

Happy is the man who has filled his quiver with them.^(F)
Such men will never be put to shame
when they speak with their enemies at the city gate.^(G)

Footnotes:

a. Psalm 127:2: Or yes, He gives such things to His loved ones while [they] sleep

Cross references:

A. Psalm 127:1: Psalm 78:69

B. Psalm 127:1: Psalm 121:4

C. Psalm 127:2: Psalm 3:5; Psalm 4:8; Proverbs 3:24

D. Psalm 127:3: Deuteronomy 7:13; Psalm 113:9

E. Psalm 127:4: Psalm 120:4

F. Psalm 127:5: Psalm 128:2-3

G. Psalm 127:5: Joel 2:26-27