Unless the Lord Builds the House

A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.

¹Unless the Lord builds the house,

those who build it labor in vain.

Unless the Lord watches over the city,

the watchman stays awake in vain.

²It is in vain that you rise up early

and go late to rest,

eating the bread of anxious toil;

for he gives to his beloved sleep.

³Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,

the fruit of the womb a reward.

⁴Like arrows in the hand of a warrior

are the children1 of one's youth.

⁵Blessed is the man

who fills his quiver with them!

He shall not be put to shame

when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.2