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1 A song of ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain; unless the LORD protects the city, its watchmen stand guard in vain.
2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for bread to eat— for He gives sleep to His beloved.
3 Children are indeed a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is His reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are children born in one’s youth.
5 Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. He will not be put to shame when he confronts the enemies at the gate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Psalm 127 about?
It teaches that human effort is futile without God: "Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it" (v.1), extending this to a watchman's vigilance and rising early to work (vv.1-2).
What does the psalm say about children?
Verses 3-5 call children "an heritage of the LORD" and compare them to "arrows... in the hand of a mighty man," saying a man with many children is "happy" and unashamed when facing enemies "in the gate."
What does verse 2 say about sleep?
V.2 says God "giveth his beloved sleep," part of the psalm's argument that striving without God ("rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows") is vain.
Today's Verse
Yonder is the sea, great and wide, Wherein are things creeping innumerable, Both small and great beasts.
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