Psalm 127

Melody
  1. Unless the LORD will build the house,
    its builders only toil in vain;
    the city’s guards keep watch in vain
    unless the LORD upholds their cause.
    In all the labour of your hands
    success on God alone depends.

  2. In vain at early dawn you rise
    and then at night go late to bed
    only to slave all day for bread.
    In vain you toil and heave your sighs.
    On those he loves the LORD will heap
    his blessings even while they sleep.

  3. Our children all are gifts of God,
    our sons and daughters his reward –
    each one a blessing from the LORD,
    as heritage on us bestowed.
    Like arrows in a warrior’s hands
    are sons that rise to one’s defence.

  4. Blest is a man when in his youth
    the LORD with sons has favoured him,
    who has a quiver filled with them –
    his arrows in the fight for truth.
    Great is the strength that they will show
    when in the gate they face their foe.