1 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.
2 In vain you rise ere morning break,
And late your nightly vigils keep,
And weary days of toil partake;
For God's beloved there is sleep.
3 Yes, children are a great reward,
A gift from God in very truth;
As quiver full of arrows stored
Who joys in children of his youth.
4 And blest the mand whose age is cheered
By stalwart sons and daughters fair;
No enemies by him are feared,
No lack of love, no want of care.
