Psalm 127
Unless the Lord builds the house
: their labour is but lost that build it.
Unless the Lord keeps the city
: the watchmen watch in vain.
It is in vain that you rise up early
and go so late to rest, eating the bread of toil
: for the Lord bestows honour
and on those whom he loves.
Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord :
and the fruit of the womb is his gift.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior :
are the sons of a mans youth.
Happy the man who has his quiver full of them :
he will not be put to shame
when he confronts his enemies at the gate.
Psalm 128
Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord :
and walks in the confine of his ways.
You will eat the fruit of your labours :
happy shall you be, and all shall go well with you.
Your wife within your house :
shall be as a fruitful vine;
Your children around your table :
like the fresh shoots of the olive.
Behold, thus shall the man be blessed :
who lives in the fear of the Lord.
May the Lord so bless you from Zion :
that you see Jerusalem in prosperity all the days of your life.
May you see your childrens children :
and in Israel let there be peace.
Psalm 129
Many a time from my youth upward
have they fought against me :
now may Israel say,
Many a time from my youth upward
have they fought against me :
but they have not prevailed.
They have scored my back as with a ploughshare :
they have opened long furrows.
But the Lord is righteous :
and he has cut me free from the thongs of the wicked.
They shall be confounded and turned backward :
all those who hate Zion.
They shall be as the grass that grows upon the housetops :
which withers before it comes to any good,
With which no reaper may fill his hand :
nor the binder of sheaves his bosom.
And none who pass by shall say to them
The blessing of the Lord be upon you :
we bless you in the name of the Lord.