Unless the Lord; the house shall buildnThe weary builders toil in vainnnUnless the Lord; the city shieldnThe guards; a useless watch maintainnnIn vain you rise ere morning breaknAnd late your nightly vigils keepnnAnd of the bread of toil partakenGod gives to his beloved, sleep.nnLo, children are the gift of Godn(Lo, children are the gift of God)nnAnd sons the blessing he commandsnnThese when in youthful days bestowednAre like the shafts in warrior's handsn(Are like the shafts in warrior's hands)nnAnd happy they whose quivers bearnFull store of arrows such as thesennThey in the gate are free from fearnAnd boldly face their enemies