A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. A psalm of Solomon.
1Unless the Lord builds a house,
the work of the builders is wasted.
Unless the Lord protects a city,
guarding it with sentries will do no good.
2It is useless for you to work so hard
from early morning until late at night,
anxiously working for food to eat;
for God gives rest to his loved ones.
3Children are a gift from the Lord;
they are a reward from him.
4Children born to a young man
are like arrows in a warrior’s hands.
5How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them!
He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates.