Psalm 127 - New International Version (NIV)

Psalm 127

A song of ascents. Of Solomon.

1 Unless the Lord builds(A) the house,
the builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches(B) over the city,
the guards stand watch in vain.
2 In vain you rise early
and stay up late,
toiling for food(C) to eat—
for he grants sleep(D) to[a] those he loves.(E)

3 Children are a heritage from the Lord,
offspring a reward(F) from him.
4 Like arrows(G) in the hands of a warrior
are children born in one’s youth.
5 Blessed is the man
whose quiver is full of them.(H)
They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their opponents(I) in court.(J)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 127:2 Or eat— / for while they sleep he provides for

Cross references

  1. Psalm 127:1 : Ps 78:69
  2. Psalm 127:1 : Ps 121:4
  3. Psalm 127:2 : S Ge 3:17
  4. Psalm 127:2 : S Nu 6:26; S Job 11:18
  5. Psalm 127:2 : S Dt 33:12; Ecc 2:25
  6. Psalm 127:3 : S Ge 1:28
  7. Psalm 127:4 : Ps 112:2
  8. Psalm 127:5 : Ps 128:2-3
  9. Psalm 127:5 : S Ge 24:60
  10. Psalm 127:5 : S Ge 23:10