1 A Song of the Ascents, by Solomon. If Jehovah doth not build the house, In vain have its builders laboured at it, If Jehovah doth not watch a city, In vain hath a watchman waked.

¶ Unless the LORD builds the house, they labour in vain that build it; unless the LORD keeps the city, the watchmen watch in vain.

2 V ain for you who are rising early, Who delay sitting, eating the bread of griefs, So He giveth to His beloved one sleep.

It is vain for you to rise up early, to come home late, to eat the bread of sorrows, because he shall give his beloved sleep.

3 L o, an inheritance of Jehovah sons, A reward the fruit of the womb.

Behold, sons are a heritage of the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is to be desired.

4 A s arrows in the hand of a mighty one, So the sons of the young men.

As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are the young men.

5 O the happiness of the man Who hath filled his quiver with them, They are not ashamed, For they speak with enemies in the gate!

Happy is the man that has filled his quiver with them: he shall not be ashamed when he speaks with the enemies in the gate.