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, its builders work for nothing. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the men who watch over it stay awake for nothing.

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.

You rise up early, and go to bed late, and work hard for your food, all for nothing. For the Lord gives to His loved ones even while they sleep.

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

See, children are a gift from the Lord. The children born to us are our special reward.

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

The children of a young man are like arrows in the hand of a soldier.

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 many of them. They will not be put to shame when they speak in the gate with those who hate them.