Psalm CXXVII.
1
Except the Lord doth build the house,
It cannot long remain:
Except the Lord the city keeps,
The watchman wakes in vain.
2
In vain men hope by rising soon,
Or sitting up so late,
Or eating course and sorry bread
To raise a great estate.
3
For riches from the Lord proceed,
His blessing makes us thrive:
Though we of our convenient rest,
Do not our selves deprive.
4
See, children are an heritage
Which God alone bestows:
Posterity a blessing is,
Which from his bounty grows.
5
Children of youth like arrows are,
Shot by a strong mans arm:
For they defend a family.
And save a house from harm.
6
The man whose quiver stored is
With such Artillery,
Shall meet his enemies in the gate,
And boldly them defie.
2 Metre.
1
Except the Lord a family
Be pleas'd to build, and to maintain;
All our endeavours are but vain:
Nor is it less a vanity,
Cities and Forts to watch and ward,
Except the Lord will be their guard.
2
In vain it is to rise betime,
And then at night go late to bed,
Feeding on course and sorry bread,
That we to great estates may climb:
For they shall thrive whom God hath blest
Although they take convenient rest.
3
And know it to be no less true,
That children from the Lord do come
His blessing makes a fruitful womb;
To him alone the praise is due
Who doth bestow most graciously,
A numerous posterity.
4
Nor do we less his blessing see,
When sons of youth grow up and thrive
Till they to perfect strength arrive;
So that they may compared be
To arrows in a giants hand,
Both to annoy, and to defend.
5
Happy the man whose quiver is
Furnish'd with such artillery:
For they support a family;
And with so brave a guard as this,
Undauntedly he shall oppose,
And in the gate confront his foes.
