Psalms 127:1
Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain; unless the LORD protects the city, its watchmen stand guard in vain.
2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for bread to eat— for He gives sleep to His beloved.
3 Children are indeed a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is His reward.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain; unless the LORD protects the city, its watchmen stand guard in vain.
- 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.
- WEB
- Unless the LORD builds the house, they who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman guards it in vain.
- ASV
- Except Jehovah build the house, They labor in vain that build it: Except Jehovah keep the city, The watchman waketh but in vain.
- DARBY
- {A Song of degrees. Of Solomon.} Unless Jehovah build the house, in vain do its builders labour in it; unless Jehovah keep the city, the keeper watcheth in vain:
- BLB
- A Song of the Ascents. Of Solomon. <span class=|reftext|><a href=|#|><b>1</b></a> If YHWH does not build the house, in vain do its builders labor on it; if YHWH does not guard the city, in vain the one guarding keeps watch.
- ÅB
- En sang ved festreisene; av Salomo. Dersom Herren ikke bygger huset, arbeider de forgjeves som bygger på det; dersom Herren ikke vokter byen, våker vekteren forgjeves.
- OTB
- Hvis ikke Herren bygger huset,
Arbeider bygningsmennene forgjeves;
Hvis ikke Herren vokter byen,
Våker vekteren forgjeves. - B1930
- En sang ved festreisene; av Salomo. Dersom Herren ikke bygger huset, arbeider de forgjeves som bygger på det; dersom Herren ikke vokter byen, våker vekteren forgjeves.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Proverbs 16:9
A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
Read in context1 Corinthians 3:7
So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.
Read in contextProverbs 21:30–31
There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.
Read in context1 Corinthians 3:9–15
For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.
Read in contextPsalms 33:16–18
No king is saved by his vast army; no warrior is delivered by his great strength.
Read in contextPsalms 121:3–5
He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber.
Read in contextPsalms 124:1
If the LORD had not been on our side— let Israel now declare—
Read in context1 Chronicles 28:10
Consider now that the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary. Be strong and do it.”
Read in context