Parallel Verses
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it. Unless LORD guards the city, the watchman wake but in vain. 2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to take rest late, to eat the bread of toil, [for] so he gives sleep to his beloved.
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 devises his way, but LORD directs his steps.
Proverbs 21:30-31
There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against LORD.
1 Corinthians 3:7
So then neither is he who plants anything, nor he who waters, but God who causes growth.
1 Chronicles 28:10
Take heed now, for LORD has chosen thee to build a house for the sanctuary. Be strong, and do it.
1 Chronicles 28:20
And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it. Fear not, nor be dismayed, for LORD God, even my God, is with thee. He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until all the work for the service of the hou
1 Chronicles 29:19
And give to Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep thy commandments, thy testimonies, and thy statutes, and to do all these things, and to build the palace [for thee], for which I have made provision.
Psalm 78:69
And he built his sanctuary like the heights, like the earth which he has established forever.
Psalm 120:1
In my distress I cried to LORD, and he answered me.
Psalm 121:1
I will lift up my eyes to the mountains. From where shall my help come?
Psalm 121:3-5
He will not allow thy foot to be moved. He who keeps thee will not slumber.
Psalm 122:1
I was glad when they said to me, Let us go to the house of LORD.
Psalm 123:1
To thee do I lift up my eyes, O thou who sit in the heavens.
Psalm 124:1
If it had not been LORD who was on our side, let Israel now say,
Psalm 126:1
When 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 happens t
Jeremiah 51:12
Set up a standard against the walls of Babylon. Make the watch strong. Set the watchmen. Prepare the ambushes. For 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 shall be inhabited as villages without walls, because of the multitude of men and cattle therein.
1 Corinthians 3:9-15
For we are co-workmen of God. Ye are a tillage of God, an edifice of God.
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 forever.
Psalm 72:1
Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness to the king's son.
Psalm 125:1
Those who trust in LORD are as mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
Song of Songs 3:3
The watchmen who go about the city found me. [I said], Did ye see him whom my soul loves?
Isaiah 21:5-12
They prepare the table, they set the watch, they eat, they drink. Rise up, ye rulers, anoint the shield.
Isaiah 27:3
I LORD am its keeper, I will water it every moment. Lest any hurt it, I will guard it night and day.
Isaiah 56:10
His watchmen are blind. They are all without knowledge. They are all mute dogs. They cannot bark, dreaming, laying down, loving to slumber.
Isaiah 62:6
I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem. They shall never keep silent day nor night. Ye who are LORD's reminders, take ye no rest,
Jeremiah 51:31
One post shall run to meet another, and one messenger to met 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 sons of thy people, and say to them, When I bring the sword upon a land, and the people of the land take a man from among them, and set him for their watchman,
1 Corinthians 15:14
And if Christ has not risen, then our preaching is empty, and your faith is also empty.
Galatians 4:11
I am afraid of you, lest somehow I have labored toward you in vain.