The great design if not Jehovah bless

1 The great design if not Jehovah bless,
Vainly we scheme the lofty dome to raise;
Nor wakeful guards the city can secure,
If not protected by Almighty pow'r.
2 If heav'n not man in all his toil sustain,
He rises early to his work in vain,
In vain he to his rest does late repair,
And eat the bread of weariness and care.
But heav'n your friend, your schemes have sure success,
Prosp'rous your labours, and you sleep in peace.
3 He show'rs eternal blessings on your head,
Crowns with a num'rous race the genial bed:
With infant prate, diverting cares away,
Around your board the dear-lov'd striplings play.
4 And Oh! what nobler blessings can afford
To his lov'd servants our indulgent Lord?
The warrior boasts not in the dusty field
So sure a buckler, nor so firm a shield.
5 Happy the man, whose sons defend his life!
They're arms, that fail not in the day of strife;
Afore the judge when cited to appear,
He'll not his wily adversary fear.

Source: New Version of the Psalms of David #CXXVII