Unless the Lord Builds a House

Unless the Lord Builds the House.  

 

¹ Unless 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.

² It 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.

³ Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,

            the fruit of the womb a reward.

⁴ Like arrows in the hand of a warrior

            are the children of one's youth.

⁵ Blessed 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 (Psa. 127:1-5).