A Song of Ascents. By Solomon.
1 Unless the LORD builds the house,
they who build it labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the watchman guards it in vain.
2 In vain you rise up early,
and stay up late,
eating the bread of toil,
for he gives sleep to his loved ones.
3 Children are a heritage from the LORD.
The fruit of the womb is his reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
so are the children of youth.
5 Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them.
They will not be disappointed
when they speak with their enemies in the gate.