The Lord Will

Psalms

Psalm 127

KJV

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.

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.

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.

Overview

Psalm 127 is a Song of Ascents about the limits of self-sufficient labor, the gift of rest, and children as a heritage from God.

Setting and context

The heading calls Psalm 127 a Song of Ascents and associates it with Solomon. The psalm moves from house, city, labor, and sleep to family and future strength. Its language commends dependence on God without rejecting responsible effort or making parenthood a measure of human worth.

Themes

Dependence on God · Work without anxious self-sufficiency · Rest as gift · Children as heritage without coercion

Key passages

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Questions readers ask

Does Psalm 127 say human work is useless? No. It says work cannot secure ultimate success independently of God; responsible labor and planning remain appropriate. Does Psalm 127 make having many children a requirement? No. It celebrates children as gift in its setting but does not make fertility, family size, or biological parenthood a universal measure of blessing or worth.