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 Yahweh builds the house, They labor in vain who build it. Unless Yahweh watches over the city, The watchman guards it in vain.
It is vain for you to rise up early, To stay up late, Eating the bread of toil; For he gives sleep to his loved ones.
Behold, children are a heritage of Yahweh. 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 who has his quiver full of them. They won't be disappointed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.