Psalms 127

KING JAMES BIBLE

1 EXCEPT the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
3 Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.
5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

KING JAMES 1611

1A song of degrees for Solomon. Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vaine that build it: except the Lord keepe the citie, the watchman waketh but in vaine.

2It is vaine for you to rise vp early, to sit vp late, to eate the bread of sorrowes: for so hee giueth his beloued sleepe.

3Loe, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the wombe is his reward.

4As arrowes are in the hand of a mightie man: so are children of the youth.

5Happie is the man that hath his quiuer full of them, they shall not be ashamed: but they shall speake with the enemies in the gate.

Compare Verse to Verse

I == Ps 121:3-5

II == Gen 3:17 , 19

III == Gen 33:5 ; 48:4 ; Deut 28:4 ; Josh 24:3-4

V == Job 5:4 ; Ps 18:47

THE NEW AMERICAN BIBLE

1 Unless the LORD build the house, they labor in vain who build. Unless the LORD guard the city, in vain does the guard keep watch.

2 It is vain for you to rise early and put off your rest at night, To eat bread earned by hard toil—all this God gives to his beloved in sleep.

3 Certainly sons are a gift from the LORD, the fruit of the womb, a reward.

4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the sons born in one’s youth.

5 Blessed is the man who has filled his quiver with them. He will never be shamed for he will destroy his foes at the gate.

COMMENTARIE

PLSALM 127 SOLOMON'S PSALM FOR FAMILY BUILDING AND TEMPLE BUILDING.

v 1,2 We need to be diligent, but without the Lord, we fail in business or church.

v 3-5 A large family, especially in their agricultural and military situation was a blessing and a big help in national or domestic defense, no specific number is implied.