The passage emphasizes that without God's involvement, human efforts are futile, whether in building or guarding. It also notes that God blesses his beloved with rest and sleep. The passage highlights the value of children as a reward and inheritance from God, likening them to arrows in the hand of a warrior. Those who have been blessed with children will be confident and unashamed when facing their enemies.
1 A Canticle in steps: of Solomon. Unless the Lord has built the house, those who build it have labored in vain. Unless the Lord has guarded the city, he who guards it watches in vain 2 It is in vain that you rise before daylight, that you rise up after you have sat down, you who chew the bread of sorrow. Whereas, to his beloved, he will give sleep 3 Behold, the inheritance of the Lord is sons, the reward is the fruit of the womb 4 Like arrows in the hand of the powerful, so are the sons of those who have been cast out 5 Blessed is the man who has filled his desire from these things. He will not be confounded when he speaks to his enemies at the gate