Psalm 127
1 Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
1 Except the Lord build the house, their labour is but | lost that | build it. ||
2 Except the Lord 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 an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
3 It is but lost labour that ye haste to rise up early, and so late take rest, * and eat the | bread of | careful•ness; ||
for so he | giveth • his be- | loved | sleep. ||
4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.
4 Lo, children, and the fruit of the womb, are an heritage and gift that | cometh • of the | Lord. ||
5 Like as the arrows in the hand of the giant, * even | so • are the | young | children. ||
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.
6 Happy is the man that hath his | quiver | full of • them; ||
they shall not be ashamed when they | speak • with their | enemies • in the | gate. ||
About the Pointing
The text of the Coverdale Psalter follows the 1928 American Book of Common Prayer. The pointing, suitably adapted, is taken from Charles Macpherson, Edward C. Bairstow, and Percy C. Buck, The English Psalter (Novello & Co., 1925).