Psalms 127
A psalm on building, resting, and raising children under God.
Psalm 127 opens with the well-known warning that builders and watchmen labor "in vain" without the LORD's blessing, a truth captured directly in Psalms 127:1. It follows the joyful harvest imagery of Psalms 126 with a matching lesson about dependence on God for daily provision.
Unless Jehovah builds the house, they labor in vain who build it. Unless Jehovah guards the city, the watchman wake but in vain.
It is vain for you to rise up early, to take rest late, to eat the bread of toil, for so he gives sleep to his beloved.
Lo, sons are a heritage of Jehovah, and the fruit of the womb is a reward.
As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are the sons of youth.
Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them. They shall not be put to shame when they speak with their enemies in the gate.