A family embraces children at a building site while workers and city watchmen pause to pray

Psalm 127

World English Bible
Chapter overview
Psalm 127 challenges anxious self-reliance in building, guarding, working, and raising a family. Human effort matters, yet lasting security and legacy are received gifts rather than achievements produced through restless striving alone.
HouseholdWorkChildrenTrust

About Psalms: book summary and outline →

1Unless the LORD builds the house, they who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman guards it in vain.
2It is vain for you to rise up early, to stay up late, eating the bread of toil, for he gives sleep to his loved ones.
3Behold, children are a heritage of the LORD. The fruit of the womb is his reward.
4As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are the children of youth.
5Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them. They won’t be disappointed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.

Verses to memorize from Psalm 127

  • Psalm 127:2It is vain for you to rise up early, to stay up late, eating the bread…

World English Bible — Public Domain. Where these translations come from.