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.
Except Jehovah build the house, They labor in vain that build it: Except Jehovah keep the city, The watchman waketh 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 giveth unto his beloved sleep.
Lo, children are a heritage of Jehovah; `And' the fruit of the womb is `his' reward.
As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, So are the children of youth.
Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: They shall not be put to shame, When they speak with their enemies in the gate. Psalm 128 A Song of Ascents.