The whole book of Psalms collected into English metre by Thomas Sternhold, John Hopkins, and others ; conferred with the Hebrew ; set forth and allowed to be sung in all churches ...

Nisi Dom. Psal. cxxvii.

W. W.

EXcept the Lord the house doth make, And thereunto doth set his hand: What men do build it cannot stand. Likewise in vain men undertake Cities and holds to watch and ward, Except the Lord be their safeguard.

[verse 2] Though ye rise early in the morn, And so at night go late to bed, Feeding full hardly with brown bread, Yet were your labour lost and worn: But they whom God doth love and keep, Receive all things with quiet sleep.

[verse 3] Therefore mark well when-ever you see That men have heirs t' enjoy their land, It is the gift of Gods own hand: For God himself doth multiply Of his great liberality The blessing of posterity.

[verse 4] And when the children come to age They grow in strength and activeness, In person and in comeliness:

So that a shaft shot with courage Of one that hath a most strong arm, Flies not so swift, nor doth like harm.

[verse 5] Oh well is he that hath his quiver Furnisht with such artillerie: For when in peril he shall be, Such one shall never shake nor shiver, When that he pleads before the judge Against his foes that bear him grudge.