Unless The Lord The House Shall Build

Unless the Lord; the house shall build
The weary builders toil in vain

Unless the Lord; the city shield
The guards; a useless watch maintain

In vain you rise ere morning break
And late your nightly vigils keep

And of the bread of toil partake
God gives to his beloved, sleep.

Lo, children are the gift of God
(Lo, children are the gift of God)

And sons the blessing he commands

These when in youthful days bestowed
Are like the shafts in warrior's hands
(Are like the shafts in warrior's hands)

And happy they whose quivers bear
Full store of arrows such as these

They in the gate are free from fear
And boldly face their enemies