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 labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman stays awake 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 sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows; For so He gives His beloved sleep.

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

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward.

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

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth.

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 who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.