Psalms 127
What Happens in This Chapter
This short psalm says that work only lasts when God is part of it. Builders and guards try hard, but God is the one who keeps things safe. The psalm then calls children a gift from God, like arrows a strong man carries.
Plain reading written for kids. Short sentences, everyday words, one idea at a time.
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.
1If the LORD does not build the house, the builders work for nothing. If the LORD does not guard the city, the guard stays awake for nothing.
2It 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.
2You get up early and stay up late. You work hard just to have bread to eat. All that worry does no good. God gives sleep to the people he loves.
3Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
3Look! Children are a gift from the LORD. A baby born to you is his reward.
4As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.
4Arrows help a strong soldier fight. In the same way, children born when you are young help you.
5Happy 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.
5A man is happy when his bag is full of arrows. He will not be shamed. He can speak up to those against him at the city gate.
A quiver is the bag a soldier carried his arrows in. The gate of a city was where leaders met and settled arguments, so speaking there meant being heard and respected.
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