Psalm 127
Words: The Psalter of the United Presbyterian Church of North America, 1887 ed.
Note: This page also has a Long Metre
version of this psalm.
1 Except the Lord do build the house,
The builders lose their pain:
Except the Lord the city keep,
The watchmen watch in vain.
2 Tis vain for you to rise betimes,
Or late from rest to keep,
To feed on sorrow's bread; so gives
He his beloved sleep.
3 Lo, children are God's heritage,
To parents his reward.
The sons of youth as arrows are,
For strong men's hands prepared.
4 O happy is the man that hath
His quiver filled with those;
They, unashamed, within the gate
Shall speak unto their foes.
1 Unless the Lord the house shall build,
The weary builders toil in vain;
Unless the Lord the city shield,
The guards a useless watch maintain.
2 In vain you rise ere morning break,
And late your nightly vigils keep,
And bread of anxious care partake:
God gives to his beloved sleep.
3 Lo, children are the gift of God,
And sons the blessing he commands;
These, when in youthful days bestowed,
Are like the shafts in warrior's hands.
4 And happy they whose quivers bear
Full store of arrows such as these;
They in the gate are free from fear,
And boldly face their enemies.
