A Prayer for Protection and Prosperity

A song of ascents. Of Solomon.

1 Unless Yahweh builds a house,

its builders labor at it in vain.

Unless Yahweh guards a city,

a guard watches in vain.

2 It is in vain for you who rise early and sit late,

eating the bread of anxious toil,

when thus heprovidesfor his beloved in his sleep.

3 Look, childrenare the heritageof Yahweh;

the fruit of the womb is a reward.

4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,

so are the childrenof one’s youth.

5 Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them.

They shall not be put to shame

when they speak with enemies at the gate.