1  The song of degrees of Solomon. No but or But if the Lord build the house; they that built it have travailed in vain. No but or But if the Lord keepeth the city; he waketh in vain that keepeth it.

2 It is vain to you to rise before the light; rise ye after ye have set, that eat the bread of sorrow. When he shall give sleep to his loved;

3 lo! the heritage of the Lord is sons, the meed is the fruit of [the] womb.

4 As arrows be in the hand of the mighty; so the sons of them that be shaken out.

5 Blessed is the man, that hath [full-]filled his desire of those [or them]; he shall not be shamed, when he shall speak to his enemies in the gate.