KJV King James Version
A Song of degrees for Solomon. 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.
VERSE STUDY • KJV
Psalm 127:1
A Song of degrees for Solomon. 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.
Read it in 5 translations
BSB Berean Standard Bible
A song of ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain; unless the LORD protects the city, its watchmen stand guard in vain.
WEB World English Bible
A Song of Ascents. By Solomon. Unless Yahweh builds the house, they labor in vain who build it. Unless Yahweh watches over the city, the watchman guards it in vain.
ASV American Standard Version
A Song of Ascents; of Solomon. Except Jehovah build the house, They labor in vain that build it: Except Jehovah keep the city, The watchman waketh but in vain.
YLT Young’s Literal Translation
A Song of the Ascents, by Solomon. If Jehovah doth not build the house, In vain have its builders laboured at it, If Jehovah doth not watch a city, In vain hath a watchman waked.
Surrounding context — Psalm 127
1 A Song of degrees for Solomon. 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.
2 [It is] vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: [for] so he giveth his beloved sleep.
3 Lo, children [are] an heritage of the LORD: [and] the fruit of the womb [is his] reward.
4 As arrows [are] in the hand of a mighty man; so [are] children of the youth.
Topics connected to this verse
Original-language word links
These Hebrew/Greek tokens are linked by Strong's number. Click one for its lexicon definition and other occurrences.
אִם־H518 · imifיְהוָ֤ה׀H3068 · ye.ho.vahLORDלֹא־H3808 · lonotיִבְנֶ֬הH1129 · ba.nahto buildבַ֗יִתH1004 · betplaceשָׁ֤וְא׀H7723 · shavvanity: falseעָמְל֣וּH5998 · a.malto toilבוֹנָ֣יוH1129 · ba.nahto buildבּ֑וֹH9033 · ohimאִם־H518 · imifיְהוָ֥הH3068 · ye.ho.vahLORDלֹֽא־H3808 · lonotיִשְׁמָר־H8104 · sha.marto keep: obeyעִ֝֗ירH5892 · irexcitementשָׁ֤וְא׀H7723 · shavvanity: falseשָׁקַ֬דH8245 · sha.qadto watchשׁוֹמֵֽר׃H8104 · sha.marto keep: obey
Cross-references
Proverbs 16:9A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.1 Corinthians 3:7So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.Proverbs 21:30-31[There is] no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.1 Corinthians 3:9-15For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, [ye are] God’s building.Psalm 33:16-18There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.Psalm 121:3-5He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.Psalm 124:1A Song of degrees of David. If [it had] not [been] the LORD who was on our side, now may Israel say;1 Chronicles 28:10Take heed now; for the LORD hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do [it].Isaiah 62:6I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, [which] shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence,1 Chronicles 28:20And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do [it]: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, [even] my God, [will be] with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.Jeremiah 51:12Set up the standard upon the walls of Babylon, make the watch strong, set up the watchmen, prepare the ambushes: for the LORD hath both devised and done that which he spake against the inhabitants of Babylon.1 Corinthians 15:14And if Christ be not risen, then [is] our preaching vain, and your faith [is] also vain.Psalm 121:1A Song of degrees. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.Psalm 123:1A Song of degrees. Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens.Psalm 120:1A Song of degrees. In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me.Ecclesiastes 9:11I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race [is] not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.Psalm 78:69And he built his sanctuary like high [palaces], like the earth which he hath established for ever.Psalm 125:1A Song of degrees. They that trust in the LORD [shall be] as mount Zion, [which] cannot be removed, [but] abideth for ever.
HISTORICAL INTERPRETATION
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