UNLESS THE LORD THE HOUSE SHALL BUILD
Psalm 127 as in The Psalter, 1912
Tune: Bourbon (LM) attr. to Freeman Lewis, 1825

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 at morning break,
And late your nightly vigils keep,
And wary days of toil partake;
For God's beloved there is sleep.

Yes, children are a great reward,
A gift from God in very truth;
As quiver full of arrows stored
Are children given in days of youth.

How blest are those whose lives are cheered
By children's growth in strength andd grace.
Within their house no foes are feared,
For God keeps watch within that place.