Bible/Psalms/127

Psalms 127:2

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
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.

KJV

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It is vain for you to rise up early, to stay up late, eating the bread of toil; for he gives sleep to his loved ones.

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.

It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he gives his beloved sleep.

127:3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

What does Psalms 127:2 mean?

Psalms 127:2 is a verse in the book of Psalms, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include שָׁוְא (shâvᵉʼ), קוּם (qûwm), שָׁכַם (shâkam).

Hebrew interlinear

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It
is
vainשָׁוְאshâvᵉʼ/shawv/H7723evil (as destructive), literally (ruin) or morally (especially guile); figuratively idolatry (as false, subjective), uselessness (as deceptive, objective; also adverbially, in vain)
for
you
to
rise
upקוּםqûwm/koom/H6965to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
early,שָׁכַםshâkam/shaw-kam'/H7925literally, to load up (on the back of man or beast), i.e. to start early in the morning
to
sit
upיָשַׁבyâshab/yaw-shab'/H3427properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
late,אָחַרʼâchar/aw-khar'/H309to loiter (i.e. be behind); by implication to procrastinate
to
eatאָכַלʼâkal/aw-kal'/H398to eat (literally or figuratively)
the
breadלֶחֶםlechem/lekh'-em/H3899food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
of
sorrows:עֶצֶבʻetseb/eh'-tseb/H6089an earthen vessel; usually (painful) toil; also a pang (whether of body or mind)
for
so
he
givethנָתַןnâthan/naw-than'/H5414to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
his
belovedיְדִידyᵉdîyd/yed-eed'/H3039loved
sleep.שֵׁנָהshênâh/shay-naw'/H8142sleep

Topics

Providence of God, thePsalmsSleepVanityWorks

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Psalms 127:2.

Genesis 25:34

Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.

Genesis 27:19

And Jacob said unto his father, I am Esau thy firstborn; I have done according as thou badest me: arise, I pray thee, sit and eat of my venison, that thy soul may bless me.

Genesis 19:1

And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;

Genesis 21:14

And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.

Genesis 22:19

So Abraham returned unto his young men, and they rose up and went together to Beersheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beersheba.

Genesis 22:3

And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.

Genesis 24:54

And they did eat and drink, he and the men that were with him, and tarried all night; and they rose up in the morning, and he said, Send me away unto my master.

Genesis 27:31

And he also had made savoury meat, and brought it unto his father, and said unto his father, Let my father arise, and eat of his son's venison, that thy soul may bless me.

Frequently asked questions

What does Psalms 127:2 say?

Psalms 127:2 (King James Version) reads: "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."

Is Psalms 127:2 in the Old or New Testament?

Psalms 127:2 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Psalms.

Reflect

As you read Psalms 127:2, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

Plan a sermon or study on Psalms 127:2
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