Psalm 127:1 “Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain; unless t…”

Psalm 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.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

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.

World English Bible

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.

American Standard Version

Except Jehovah build the house, They labor in vain that build it: Except Jehovah keep the city, The watchman waketh but in vain.

Geneva Bible 1599

A song of degrees, or Psalme of Salomon. Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vaine that build it: except the Lord keepe the citie, the keeper watcheth in vaine.

Darby Translation

Unless Jehovah build the house, in vain do its builders labour in it; unless Jehovah keep the city, the keeper watcheth in vain:

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.

Bible in Basic English

If the Lord is not helping the builders, then the building of a house is to no purpose: if the Lord does not keep the town, the watchman keeps his watch for nothing.

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Cross references

“A Song”

Psalm 124:1 Psalm 121:1 Psalm 123:1 Psalm 120:1 Psalm 125:1 Psalm 126:1

Psalm 124:1 · BSB

If the LORD had not been on our side— let Israel now declare—

Psalm 121:1 · BSB

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?

Psalm 123:1 · BSB

I lift up my eyes to You, the One enthroned in heaven.

Psalm 120:1 · BSB

In my distress I cried to the LORD, and He answered me.

Psalm 125:1 · BSB

Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion. It cannot be moved; it abides forever.

Psalm 126:1 · BSB

When the LORD restored the captives of Zion, we were like dreamers.

“for Solomon”

Psalm 72:1

Psalm 72:1 · BSB

Endow the king with Your justice, O God, and the son of the king with Your righteousness.

“The Lord”

Proverbs 16:9 1 Corinthians 3:7 Psalm 33:16–18 Ecclesiastes 9:11 Proverbs 21:30 Proverbs 21:31

Proverbs 16:9 · BSB

A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.

1 Corinthians 3:7 · BSB

So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.

Psalm 33:16–18 · BSB

No king is saved by his vast army; no warrior is delivered by his great strength.

Ecclesiastes 9:11 · BSB

I saw something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong; neither is the bread to the wise, nor the wealth to the intelligent, nor the favor to the skillful. For time and chance happ…

Proverbs 21:30 · BSB

There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.

Proverbs 21:31 · BSB

A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.

“build”

1 Corinthians 3:9–15 1 Chronicles 28:10 1 Chronicles 28:20 1 Chronicles 29:19 1 Chronicles 22:10 1 Chronicles 22:11

1 Corinthians 3:9–15 · BSB

For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.

1 Chronicles 28:10 · BSB

Consider now that the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary. Be strong and do it.”

1 Chronicles 28:20 · BSB

David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do it. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will neither fail you nor forsake you before all the work for the servi…

1 Chronicles 29:19 · BSB

And give my son Solomon a whole heart to keep and carry out all Your commandments, decrees, and statutes, and to build Your palace for which I have made provision.”

1 Chronicles 22:10 · BSB

He is the one who will build a house for My Name. He will be My son, and I will be his Father. And I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’

1 Chronicles 22:11 · BSB

Now, my son, may the LORD be with you, and may you succeed in building the house of the LORD your God, as He said you would.

“they labour”

1 Corinthians 15:14 Galatians 4:11

1 Corinthians 15:14 · BSB

And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is worthless, and so is your faith.

Galatians 4:11 · BSB

I fear for you, that my efforts for you may have been in vain.

“except”

Psalm 121:3–5 Isaiah 27:3 Zechariah 2:4 Zechariah 2:5

Psalm 121:3–5 · BSB

He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber.

Isaiah 27:3 · BSB

I, the LORD, am its keeper; I water it continually. I guard it night and day so no one can disturb it;

Zechariah 2:4 · BSB

and said to him, “Run and tell that young man: ‘Jerusalem will be a city without walls because of the multitude of men and livestock within it.

Zechariah 2:5 · BSB

For I will be a wall of fire around it, declares the LORD, and I will be the glory within it.’”

“the watchman”

Isaiah 62:6 Jeremiah 51:12 Isaiah 56:10 Isaiah 21:5–12 Ezekiel 33:2–9 Song of Solomon 3:3

Isaiah 62:6 · BSB

On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have posted watchmen; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD shall take no rest for yourselves,

Jeremiah 51:12 · BSB

Raise a banner against the walls of Babylon; post the guard; station the watchmen; prepare the ambush. For the LORD has both devised and accomplished what He spoke against the people of Babylon.

Isaiah 56:10 · BSB

Israel’s watchmen are blind, they are all oblivious; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they are dreamers lying around, loving to slumber.

Isaiah 21:5–12 · BSB

They prepare a table, they lay out a carpet, they eat, they drink! Rise up, O princes, oil the shields!

Ezekiel 33:2–9 · BSB

“Son of man, speak to your people and tell them: ‘Suppose I bring the sword against a land, and the people of that land choose a man from among them, appointing him as their watchman,

Song of Solomon 3:3 · BSB

I encountered the watchmen on their rounds of the city: “Have you seen the one I love?”

Also

Psalm 78:69

Psalm 78:69 · BSB

He built His sanctuary like the heights, like the earth He has established forever.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

2In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for bread to eat— for He gives sleep to His beloved.

Read Psalm 127