(A song by Solomon for worship.)

Only the LORD can bless a home

1Without the help of the LORD

it is useless to build a home

or to guard a city.

2It is useless to get up early

and stay up late

in order to earn a living.

God takes care of his own,

even while they sleep.127.2 God…sleep: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.

3Children are a blessing

and a gift from the LORD.

4Having a lot of children

to take care of you

in your old age

is like a warrior

with a lot of arrows.

5The more you have,

the better off you will be,

because they will protect you

when your enemies attack

with arguments.