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.
If, Yahweh, build not the house, in vain, have the builders of it toiled thereon, If, Yahweh, watch not the city, in vain, hath the watchman kept awake:
Vain for you,—to be early in rising, to be late in lying down, to be eating the bread of wearisome toil, So, would he give his beloved one sleep.
Lo! an inheritance from Yahweh, are children, A reward, the fruit of the womb:
As arrows in the hand of a warrior, so, are the children of young men.
How happy the man who hath filled his quiver with them! They will not be ashamed, but will speak with enemies in the gate.