Virtue of God's blessing. (A Song of degrees for Solomon.)

¹⁾Except the LORDLord build the house, they labourlabor in vain that build it:; except the LORDLord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

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

³⁾Lo, children are ana heritage of the LORD:Lord; and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

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

⁵⁾Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them:; they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.