Psalms 127:1

Psalms 127:1 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
• New International Version (NIV)Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain.

Context of Psalms 127:1

A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon. Unless Adonai builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless Adonai watches over the city, the watchman stands guard in vain. 2In vain you rise up early and stay up late, eating the bread of toil— for He provides for His beloved ones even in their sleep. 3Behold, children are a heritage of Adonai —the fruit of the womb is a reward.

Psalms 127:1 word by word

אִם־יְהוָ֤ה׀ לֹא־יִבְנֶ֬ה בַ֗יִת שָׁ֤וְא׀ עָמְל֣וּ בוֹנָ֣יו בּ֑וֹ אִם־יְהוָ֥ה לֹֽא־יִשְׁמָר־עִ֝֗יר שָׁ֤וְא׀ שָׁקַ֬ד שׁוֹמֵֽר׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Except the Lordיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
• buildבָּנָהbânâh · to buildH1129
• the houseבַּ֫יִתbayith · house: homeH1004
• they labourעָמַל‛âmal · to toilH5998
• in vainשָׁוְאshâv' shav · vanity: vainH7723
• keepשָׁמַרshâmar · to keep: guardH8104
• the cityעִיר‛îyr ‛âr ‛âyar · cityH5892
• wakethשָׁקַדshâqad · to watchH8245

Cross-references for Psalms 127:1

• Psalms 120:1A Song of Ascents. In my trouble I cried out to Adonai, and He answered me.
• Psalms 121:1A Song of Ascents. I will lift up my eyes to the mountains— from where does my help come?
• Psalms 122:1A Song of Ascents. Of David. I rejoiced when they said to me, “Let us go to the House of Adonai.”
• Psalms 123:1A Song of Ascents. To You I lift up my eyes— You enthroned in the heavens.
• Psalms 124:1A Song of Ascents. Of David. “Had Adonai not been on our side” —let Israel now say—
• Psalms 125:1A Song of Ascents. Those who trust in Adonai are like Mount Zion— it cannot be moved, but endures forever.
• Psalms 126:1A Song of Ascents. When Adonai restored the captives of Zion, it was as if we were dreaming.
• Psalms 72:1Of Solomon. Give the king Your judgments, O God, and Your righteousness to the king’s son.
• Psalms 33:16No king is saved by his great army, no warrior is delivered by great strength.
• Proverbs 16:9The heart of man plans his course, but Adonai directs his steps.
• Proverbs 21:30There is no wisdom, there is no understanding, there is no counsel— against Adonai.
• Ecclesiastes 9:11I further observed under the sun: The race is not to the swift nor the battle to the mighty, nor does bread come to the wise, or wealth to the discerning, or favor to the skillful; for time and chance befall them all.
• 1 Corinthians 3:7So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who makes things grow.
• 1 Chronicles 22:10He will build a House for My name; he will be My son and I will be His Father. I will establish his royal throne over Israel forever.’
• 1 Chronicles 28:10Consider now, for Adonai has chosen you to build a House for the Sanctuary. Chazak! And do it!”
• 1 Chronicles 29:19As for my son Solomon, give him a whole heart to keep Your mitzvot, Your decrees and Your statutes, and to fulfill them all and to build the Temple for which I have made provision.”

Commentaries on Psalms 127:1

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1Except the Lord build the house - To build a house is taken in three different senses in the sacred writings. To build the temple of the Lord, which was called הבית habbeith, the house, by way of eminence. To build any ordinary house, or place of dwelling. To have a numerous offspring. In this sense it is supposed to be spoken concerning the Egyptian midwives; that because they feared the Lord, therefore he built them houses. See the note on Exodus 1:21…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1Except the Lord build the house - Or rather, “a house.” The word “house” may refer either to an ordinary dwelling; to the temple, as a place of worship; or to a family, with reference to its success and prosperity, as the word house is often used now. The statement is universal, and is designed to indicate a universal dependence on God in human undertakings, though it is not improbable that there may have been an allusion, when the psalm was composed, to…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1The value of the Divine blessing. --Let us always look to God's providence. In all the affairs and business of a family we must depend upon his blessing. 1. For raising a family. If God be not acknowledged, we have no reason to expect his blessing; and the best-laid plans fail, unless he crowns them with success. 2. For the safety of a family or a city. Except the Lord keep the city, the watchmen, though they neither slumber nor sleep, wake but in vain…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-2Unless: These conditional statements emphasize that the Lord is the one who protects the city (compare Psalm 124:1–2). Human effort achieves nothing unless the Lord blesses it (see Psalm 44:3). you rise early and stay up late: This phrase describes people who work constantly and live with pressure and competition. Those whom God loves can rest and sleep in peace (Psalm 3:5; 4:8).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-51-2. suggest the view of the theme given.Read the comment

Topics related to Psalms 127:1

• Blessing
• Prosperity
• Works

In the dictionaries

• Degrees, Song of
• Hallel
• Psalms
• Wake
• Crime; Crimes
• Degree
• Degrees, Songs of
• Dial of Ahaz
• Hallelujah
• Hezekiah (2)

Commentaries on Psalms 127

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• The Treasury of David
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings