1 A Song of Ascents; of Solomon. If Yahweh does not build the house, They labor in vain that build it: If Yahweh does not keep the city, The watchman wakes but in vain.

2 It is vain for you{+} to rise up early, To take rest late, To eat the bread of toil; Thus he gives to his beloved sleep.

3 Look, sons are a heritage of Yahweh; [And] the fruit of the womb is [his] reward.

4 As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, So are the sons of youth.

5 Happy is the [noble] man who has his quiver full of them: They will not be put to shame, When they speak with their enemies in the gate.