A Song of Ascents. By Solomon.

1Unless Yahweh builds the house,

they who build it labor in vain.

Unless Yahweh watches over the city,

the watchman guards it in vain.

2It 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.

3Behold, children are a heritage of Yahweh.

The fruit of the womb is his reward.

4As arrows in the hand of a mighty man,

so are the children of youth.

5Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them.

They won’t be disappointed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.