1. Except the Lord do build the house,
The builders labor all in vain:
Unless the Lord the city keep,
In vain the guards their watch maintain.
2. To rise betimes, and sit up late,
And eat thy bread with grief oppressed,
Is vain; without such carking cares,
The Lord gives his beloved rest.
3. Lo; children are God's heritage;
The fruitful womb is his reward.
4. As arrows in a strong man's hand,
So sons of youth are parents guard.
5. Happy the man, whose quiver's filled
With shafts, that on him ready wait;
He shall not be ashamed to speak
With the adversary in the gate.
A New Version of the Psalms of David, 1752