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1 A Song of Ascents. By Solomon. Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman guards it in vain.
2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to stay up late, eating the bread of toil; for he gives sleep to his loved ones.
3 Behold, children are a heritage of the Lord. The fruit of the womb is his reward.
4 As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are the children of youth.
5 Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them. They won't be disappointed when they speak with their enemies in 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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