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127B. Unless the LORD Builds Up the House

1 Unless the Lord builds up the house,
the weary builders toil in vain;
unless he keeps the city safe,
the guards a useless watch maintain.

2 In vain you rise before the dawn,
and late your nightly vigils keep;
while you eat bread of anxious toil,
God gives to his beloved sleep.

3 Lo, children are a heritage,
a gift from God in very truth.
Like arrows in a warrior's hand
are all the children of one's youth.

4 The man whose quiver's full of them
is blessed by God; his name is great.
He shall not fear his enemies
when he speaks with them in the gate.

Text Information
First Line: Unless the LORD builds up the house
Title: Unless the LORD Builds Up the House
Meter: L.M.
Language: English
Publication Date: 2018
Scripture:
Topic: Family Worship; God: As Guardian; Marriage and the Home (2 more...)
Source: The Psalter, 1912; alt.
Tune Information
Name: DEUS TUORUM MILITUM
Meter: L.M.
Key: C Major
Source: Antiphoner, Grenoble, 1753



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