Parallel Verses
New Heart English Bible
Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman guards it in vain.
New American Standard Bible
A Song of Ascents, of Solomon.
Unless the Lord
They labor in vain who build it;
Unless the Lord
The watchman keeps awake in vain.
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.
Holman Bible
A Solomonic song of ascents.
its builders labor over it in vain;
unless the Lord watches over a city,
the watchman stays alert in vain.
International Standard Version
Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor uselessly. Unless the LORD guards the city, its security forces keep watch uselessly.
A Conservative Version
Unless LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it. Unless LORD guards the city, the watchman wake but 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.
Amplified
They labor in vain who build it;
Unless the Lord guards the city,
The watchman keeps awake in vain.
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.
Darby Translation
{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:
Julia Smith Translation
Song of ascensions to Solomon. If Jehovah shall not build the house, they building it, in it labored in vain. If Jehovah shall not watch the city, he watching, watched in vain.
King James 2000
[A song of ascents. Of Solomon.] Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain that build it: unless the LORD keeps the city, the watchman wakes, but in vain.
Lexham Expanded Bible
Unless Yahweh builds a house, its builders labor at it in vain. Unless Yahweh guards a city, a guard watches in vain.
Modern King James verseion
A Song of degrees for Solomon. Unless Jehovah builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless Jehovah keeps the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
{A song of the stairs} Except the LORD build the house, their labour is but lost that build it. Except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
NET Bible
A song of ascents, by Solomon. If the Lord does not build a house, then those who build it work in vain. If the Lord does not guard a city, then the watchman stands guard in vain.
The Emphasized Bible
If, Yahweh, build not the house, in vain, have the builders of it toiled thereon, If, Yahweh, watch not the city, in vain, hath the watchman kept awake:
Webster
A Song of degrees for Solomon. Except the LORD shall build the house, they labor in vain that build it: except the LORD shall keep the city, the watchman waketh in vain.
World English Bible
Unless Yahweh builds the house, they labor in vain who build it. Unless Yahweh watches over the city, the watchman guards it in vain.
Youngs 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.
Themes
Alertness » Who watches in vain
Cities » Protected at night by watchmen
Dependence » Human weakness renders men dependent upon God
Protection » Of God, is » Indispensable
The Providence of God » Man's efforts are vain without
Watchmen » Were stationed » In the streets of cities
Topics
References
Hastings
Word Count of 20 Translations in Psalm 127:1
Images Psalm 127:1
Prayers for Psalm 127:1
Verse Info
Context Readings
The Blessing Of The Lord
1 Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman guards it in vain. 2 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.
Phrases
Cross References
Psalm 33:16-18
There is no king saved by the multitude of an army. A mighty man is not delivered by great strength.
Proverbs 16:9
A man's heart plans his course, but the LORD directs his steps.
Proverbs 21:30-31
There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
1 Corinthians 3:7
So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.
1 Chronicles 28:10
Take heed now; for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary. Be strong, and do it."
1 Chronicles 28:20
David said to Solomon his son, "Be strong and courageous, and do it. Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed; for the LORD God, even my God, is with you. He will not fail you, nor forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished.
1 Chronicles 29:19
and give to Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep your commandments, your testimonies, and your statutes, and to do all these things, and to build the palace, for which I have made provision."
Psalm 78:69
He built his sanctuary like the heights, like the earth which he has established forever.
Psalm 120:1
In my distress, I cried to the LORD. He answered me.
Psalm 121:1
I will lift up my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from?
Psalm 121:3-5
He will not allow your foot to be moved. He who keeps you will not slumber.
Psalm 122:1
I was glad when they said to me, "Let's go to the LORD's house."
Psalm 123:1
To you I do lift up my eyes, you who sit in the heavens.
Psalm 124:1
If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, let Israel now say,
Psalm 126:1
When the LORD brought back those who returned to Zion, we were like those who dream.
Ecclesiastes 9:11
I 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 favor to men of skill; but time and chance happen to them all.
Jeremiah 51:12
Set up a standard against the walls of Babylon, make the watch strong, set the watchmen, prepare the ambushes; for the LORD has both purposed and done that which he spoke concerning the inhabitants of Babylon.
Zechariah 2:4-5
and said to him, "Run, speak to this young man, saying, 'Jerusalem will be inhabited as villages without walls, because of the multitude of men and livestock in it.
1 Corinthians 3:9-15
For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's farming, God's building.
1 Chronicles 22:10-11
He shall build a house for my name; and he shall be my son, and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever.'
Psalm 72:1
God, give the king your justice; your righteousness to the royal son.
Psalm 125:1
Those who trust in the LORD are as Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but remains forever.
Song of Songs 3:3
The watchmen who go about the city found me; "Have you seen him whom my soul loves?"
Song of Songs 5:7
The watchmen who go about the city found me. They beat me. They bruised me. The keepers of the walls took my cloak away from me.
Isaiah 21:5-12
They prepare the table. They set the watch. They eat. They drink. Rise up, you princes, oil the shield.
Isaiah 27:3
I, the LORD, am its keeper. I will water it every moment. Lest anyone damage it, I will keep it night and day.
Isaiah 56:10
His watchmen are blind, they are all without knowledge; they are all mute dogs, they can't bark; dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber.
Isaiah 62:6
I have set watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; they shall never be silent, day or night. You who call on the LORD, take no rest,
Jeremiah 51:31
One runner will run to meet another, and one messenger to meet another, to show the king of Babylon that his city is taken on every quarter:
Ezekiel 33:2-9
"Son of man, speak to the children of your people, and tell them, 'When I bring the sword on a land, and the people of the land take a man from among them, and set him for their watchman;
1 Corinthians 15:14
If Christ has not been raised, then our proclaiming is in vain, and your faith also is in vain.
Galatians 4:11
I am afraid for you, that I might have wasted my labor for you.