A Song of degrees. Of Solomon.

127 Unless Jehovah build the house, in vain do its builders labour in it; unless Jehovah keep the city, the keeper watcheth in vain:

² It is vain for you to rise up early, to lie down late, to eat the bread of sorrows: so to his beloved one he giveth sleep.

³ Lo, children are an inheritance from Jehovah, [and] the fruit of the womb a reward.

⁴ As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are the children of youth.

⁵ Happy is the man that hath filled his quiver with them. They shall not be ashamed when they speak with enemies in the gate.

A Song of degrees.

128 Blessed is every one that feareth Jehovah, that walketh in his ways.

² For thou shalt eat the labour of thy hands; happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.

³ Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine in the inner part of thy house; thy children like olive-plants round about thy table.

⁴ Behold, thus shall the man be blessed that feareth Jehovah.

⁵ Jehovah will bless thee out of Zion; and mayest thou see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life,

⁶ And see thy children's children. Peace be upon Israel!

A Song of degrees.

129 Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth—oh let Israel say—

² Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth; yet they have not prevailed against me.

³ The ploughers ploughed upon my back; they made long their furrows.

⁴ Jehovah is righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked.

⁵ Let them be ashamed and turned backward, all that hate Zion;

⁶ Let them be as the grass upon the house-tops, which withereth before it is plucked up,

⁷ Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand, nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom;

⁸ Neither do the passers-by say, The blessing of Jehovah be upon you; we bless you in the name of Jehovah!