Tune: Lux Benigna
(\'Lead, kindly Light\')
Psalm 127
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Except the Lord, save* (*except) He does build the house
It matters not
Whether build children, husband, wife or spouse
Shall be poor lot
For unless He the Lord the house does build
They all that build it shall be unfulfilled
For rising early, vanity it is
It is no bliss
For you to sit up late, for also this
Vanity is
To eat the bread of sorrows, by it fed
He his beloved sleep gives them in bed
Behold, children from the Lord, they sure be
Heritage, see
And fruit of womb His reward, His desire
They shall blessed be
To bless, increase, enlarging family
Happy they who many arrows carry
For children are as arrows in their hand
And thy shall stand
Against their enemies there at gate* manned
And claim their land
Yes, if their quiver full of children blest
They shall in the lord rejoice, in Him rest
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* gate - the city gate, the place of business transactions,
and a type of court for judgements passed, etc.