Bible/Psalms/127

Psalms 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. for: or, of Solomon that: Heb. that are builders of it in it

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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.

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.

Except the LORD build the house, they labor in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman wakes but in vain.

127:2 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.

What does Psalms 127:1 mean?

Psalms 127:1 is a verse in the book of Psalms, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include שִׁיר (shîyr), מַעֲלָה (maʻălâh), שְׁלֹמֹה (Shᵉlômôh).

Hebrew interlinear

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A
Songשִׁירshîyr/sheer/H7892a song; abstractly, singing
of
degreesמַעֲלָהmaʻălâh/mah-al-aw'/H4609elevation, i.e. the act (literally, a journey to a higher place, figuratively, a thought arising), or (concretely) the condition (literally, a step or grademark, figuratively, a superiority of station); specifically a climactic progression (in certain Psalms)
for
Solomon.שְׁלֹמֹהShᵉlômôh/shel-o-mo'/H8010Shelomah, David's successor
Except
the
LORDיְהֹוָהYᵉhôvâh/yeh-ho-vaw'/H3068Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
buildבָּנָהbânâh/baw-naw'/H1129to build (literally and figuratively)
the
house,בַּיִתbayith/bah'-yith/H1004a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
they
labourעָמַלʻâmal/aw-mal'/H5998to toil, i.e. work severely and with irksomeness
in
vainשָׁוְאshâvᵉʼ/shawv/H7723evil (as destructive), literally (ruin) or morally (especially guile); figuratively idolatry (as false, subjective), uselessness (as deceptive, objective; also adverbially, in vain)
that
buildבָּנָהbânâh/baw-naw'/H1129to build (literally and figuratively)
it:
except
the
LORDיְהֹוָהYᵉhôvâh/yeh-ho-vaw'/H3068Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
keepשָׁמַרshâmar/shaw-mar'/H8104properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.
the
city,עִירʻîyr/eer/H5892a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
the
watchmanשָׁמַרshâmar/shaw-mar'/H8104properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.
wakethשָׁקַדshâqad/shaw-kad'/H8245to be alert, i.e. sleepless; hence to be on the lookout (whether for good or ill)
but
in
vain.שָׁוְאshâvᵉʼ/shawv/H7723evil (as destructive), literally (ruin) or morally (especially guile); figuratively idolatry (as false, subjective), uselessness (as deceptive, objective; also adverbially, in vain)
for:
or,
of
Solomon
that:
Heb.
that
are
builders
of
it
in
it

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ProsperityProtectionProvidence of God, thePsalmsWatchmenWorks

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Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Psalms 127:1.

1 Kings 6:1

And it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign over Israel, in the month Zif, which is the second month, that he began to build the house of the LORD. began: Heb. built

2 Chronicles 35:3

And said unto the Levites that taught all Israel, which were holy unto the LORD, Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king of Israel did build; it shall not be a burden upon your shoulders: serve now the LORD your God, and his people Israel,

2 Chronicles 8:6

And Baalath, and all the store cities that Solomon had, and all the chariot cities, and the cities of the horsemen, and all that Solomon desired to build in Jerusalem, and in Lebanon, and throughout all the land of his dominion. all that: Heb. all the desire of Solomon which he desired to build

2 Samuel 5:11

And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons: and they built David an house. masons: Heb. hewers of the stone of the wall

2 Samuel 7:27

For thou, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house: therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee. revealed: Heb. opened the ear

Exodus 12:29

And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle. dungeon: Heb. house of the pit

Exodus 24:4

And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD, and rose up early in the morning, and builded an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel.

Genesis 24:27

And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master's brethren.

Frequently asked questions

What does Psalms 127:1 say?

Psalms 127:1 (King James Version) reads: "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. for: or, of Solomon that: Heb. that are builders of it in it"

Is Psalms 127:1 in the Old or New Testament?

Psalms 127:1 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Psalms.

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