Song (Psalm) 127

Note: This is still a very early look into the unfinished text of the Open English Translation of the Bible. Please double-check the text in advance before using in public. Some things (like capitalisation of ‘him’ referring to Jesus or ‘father’ referring to God) in the RV haven’t been decided yet so we’re still testing both ways.

Note: The Readers’ Version on the left is a translation into contemporary English aimed at the person on the street who hasn’t necessarily been brought up with exposure to Biblical jargon and/or 500-year old English. It’s designed to be used alongside the Literal Version on the right which gives the English reader a window into what’s actually written in the original languages. (See the introduction for more details—we recommend that you read the introduction first if you’re wanting to fully understand the Literal Version.) By comparing the left and right columns, you should be able to easily get the message of the text, while at the same time keeping an eye on what it was actually translated from.

Note that greyed words in the RV are words that the translators consider were most probably in the mind of the writer, but as none of us can double-check with the original speakers or writers, the reader is free to disagree. They are clearly marked because we’ve tried to be as honest and transparent as possible.

The lighter coloured words in the LV are words which aren’t needed in the grammar of the original languages but are required or implied in English. You can read the Key to learn more about them. The underlines joining words in the LV show when one original language word needs to be translated into two or more English words. (Just hide them with the button if you don’t need that information and find it distracting.) Also, the majority of sentences in the LV don’t have the words put into a sensible English order yet. (This should be completed by the end of 2023.)

Readers’ Version

Literal Version

127:1 Children are a blessing

In Praise of God’s Goodness; God’s Blessings in the Home

A song by Solomon while walking uphill to Yerushalem.

A song of the ascents: for Solomon; A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.; A song for the ascent to Jerusalem. A psalm of Solomon.; A song of ascents. Of Solomon.

127 If it’s not Yahweh who builds the house, those who build it ≈are just wasting their time.

≈If it’s not Yahweh who guards the city, the watchman stands guard uselessly.

2 It’s pointless ≈getting up early, then coming home late,

or ≈working so hard to get your food,

because Yahweh provides for ≈those he loves even while they’re asleep.

3 ≈Yes, children are a heritage from Yahweh,

and the product of the womb is a reward.

4 The children of a young man

are like arrows in a warrior’s hand.

5 The man who has his quiver full of them is blessed.

He won’t be put to shame when he confronts his enemies at the community gate.

↑ 127  The_song_of the_ascents of_Shəlomoh/(Solomon)\f + \fr 127:1 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.

127.

1\f* if YHWH not he_will_build a_house vanity they_have_toiled builders_of_its in/on/over_him/it if YHWH not he_will_watch_over a_city vanity he_has_kept_awake the_watchman.

2 Vanity to/for_you_all who_rise_early_of (of)_to_rise who_delay_of (of)_to_sit who_eat_of (of)_the_bread_of the_anxious_toil thus he_gives to_beloved_of_his sleep.

3 Here the_inheritance_of YHWH is_sons is_a_reward the_fruit_of the_womb.

4 Like_arrows in/on/at/with_hand_of a_warrior so are_the_sons_of the_youth.

5 How_blessed the_man who he_has_filled DOM quiver_of_his from_them not they_will_be_ashamed if/because they_will_speak with enemies in/on/at/with_gate.