Psalms 127

1Unless the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it. Unless the Lord keep the city, he watcheth in vain that keepeth it.

2It is vain for you to rise before light, rise ye after you have sitten, you that eat the bread of sorrow. When he shall give sleep to his beloved,

3Behold the inheritance of the Lord are children: the reward, the fruit of the womb.

4As arrows in the hand of the mighty, so the children of them that have been shaken.

5Blessed is the man that hath filled the desire with them; he shall not be confounded when he shall speak to his enemies in the gate.

1Canticum graduum Salomonis. [Nisi Dominus ædificaverit domum, in vanum laboraverunt qui ædificant eam. Nisi Dominus custodierit civitatem, frustra vigilat qui custodit eam.

2Vanum est vobis ante lucem surgere: surgite postquam sederitis, qui manducatis panem doloris. Cum dederit dilectis suis somnum,

3ecce hæreditas Domini, filii; merces, fructus ventris.

4Sicut sagittæ in manu potentis, ita filii excussorum.

5Beatus vir qui implevit desiderium suum ex ipsis: non confundetur cum loquetur inimicis suis in porta.]

1A Canticle in steps: of Solomon. Unless the Lord has built the house, those who build it have labored in vain. Unless the Lord has guarded the city, he who guards it watches in vain.

2It is in vain that you rise before daylight, that you rise up after you have sat down, you who chew the bread of sorrow. Whereas, to his beloved, he will give sleep.

3Behold, the inheritance of the Lord is sons, the reward is the fruit of the womb.

4Like arrows in the hand of the powerful, so are the sons of those who have been cast out.

5Blessed is the man who has filled his desire from these things. He will not be confounded when he speaks to his enemies at the gate.