Unless the Lord the house sustain,
They build in vain.
In vain they watch, unless the Lord
The city guard.
In vain you rise before the light,
And break the slumbers of the night.

In vain the bread of sorrow eat,
Got by your sweat,
Unless the Lord with good success
Your labours bless.
For He all good on His bestows,
And crowns their eyes with sweet repose.

Increasing sons, His heritage,
Renew their age;
The pledges of their fruitful love,
Giv'n from above:
As formidable to the foe,
As arrows from a giant's bow.

He is belov'd of God, and blest
Above the rest,
Whose quivers with such shafts abound;
By men renown'd:
Nor shall his adversary dread,
When they at the tribunal plead.