1 A song of ascents. Of Solomon.Unless the Lord build the house,they labor in vain who build.Unless the Lord guard the city,in vain does the guard keep watch.
2 It is vain for you to rise earlyand put off your rest at night,To eat bread earned by hard toil—all this God gives to his beloved in sleep.
3 Certainly sons are a gift from the Lord,the fruit of the womb, a reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warriorare the sons born in one’s youth.
5 Blessed is the man who has filled his quiver with them.He will never be shamedfor he will destroy his foes at the gate.