Nisi Dominus. Nothing can be done without God’s grace and blessing. A gradual canticle of Solomon.
1 Unless the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it. Unless the Lord keep the city, he watcheth in vain that keepeth it.
2
It is vain for you to rise before light, rise ye after you have sitten, you that eat the bread of sorrow. When he shall give sleep to his beloved,
3
Behold the inheritance of the Lord are children: the reward, the fruit of the womb.
4
As arrows in the hand of the mighty, so the children of them that have been shaken.
5
Blessed is the man that hath filled the desire with them; he shall not be confounded when he shall speak to his enemies in the gate.