Parallel Verses
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.
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.
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 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.
Phrases
Cross References
Psalm 33:16-18
A king's salvation is not in the power of his army; a strong man does not get free by his great strength.
Proverbs 16:9
A man may make designs for his way, but the Lord is the guide of his steps.
Proverbs 21:30-31
Wisdom and knowledge and wise suggestions are of no use against the Lord.
1 Corinthians 3:7
So then the planter is nothing, and the waterer is nothing; but God who gives the increase.
1 Chronicles 28:10
Now then, take note; for the Lord has made selection of you to be the builder of a house for the holy place. Be strong and do it.
1 Chronicles 28:20
And David said to his son Solomon, Be strong and of a good heart and do your work; have no fear and do not be troubled, for the Lord God, my God, is with you; he will not give you up, and his face will not be turned away from you, till all the work necessary for the house of the Lord is complete.
1 Chronicles 29:19
And give to Solomon my son a true heart, to keep your orders, your rules, and your laws, and to do all these things, and to put up this great house for which I have made ready.
Psalm 78:69
And he made his holy place like the high heaven, like the earth which is fixed by him for ever.
Psalm 120:1
In my trouble my cry went up to the Lord, and he gave me an answer.
Psalm 121:1
My eyes are lifted up to the hills: O where will my help come from?
Psalm 122:1
I was glad because they said to me, We will go into the house of the Lord.
Psalm 123:1
To you my eyes are lifted up, even to you whose seat is 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 made a change in Zion's fate, we were like men in a dream.
Ecclesiastes 9:11
And again I saw under the sun that the reward goes not to him who is quick, or the fruits of war to the strong; and there is no bread for the wise, or wealth for men of learning, or respect for those who have knowledge; but time and chance come to all.
Jeremiah 51:12
Let the flag be lifted up against the walls of Babylon, make the watch strong, put the watchmen in their places, make ready a surprise attack: for it is the Lord's purpose, and he has done what he said about the people of Babylon.
Zechariah 2:4-5
Said to him, Go quickly and say to this young man, Jerusalem will be an unwalled town, because of the great number of men and cattle in her.
1 Corinthians 3:9-15
For we are workers with God: you are God's planting, God's building.
1 Chronicles 22:10-11
He will be the builder of a house for my name; he will be to me a son, and I will be to him a father; and I will make the seat of his rule over Israel certain for ever.
Psalm 72:1
Give the king your authority, O God, and your righteousness to the king's son.
Psalm 125:1
Those whose hope is in the Lord are like the mountain of Zion, which may not be moved, but keeps its place for ever.
Song of Songs 3:3
The watchmen who go about the town came by me; to them I said, Have you seen him who is my heart's desire?
Song of Songs 5:7
The keepers who go about the town overtook me; they gave me blows and wounds; the keepers of the walls took away my veil from me.
Isaiah 21:5-12
They make ready the table, they put down the covers, they take food and drink. Up! you captains; put oil on your breastplates.
Isaiah 27:3
I, the Lord, am watching it; I will give it water at all times: I will keep it night and day, for fear that any damage comes to it.
Isaiah 56:10
His watchmen are blind, they are all without knowledge; they are all dogs without tongues, unable to make a sound; stretched out dreaming, loving sleep.
Isaiah 62:6
I have put watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they will not keep quiet day or night: you who are the Lord's recorders, take no rest,
Jeremiah 51:31
One man, running, will give word to another, and one who goes with news will be handing it on to another, to give word to the king of Babylon that his town has been taken from every quarter:
Ezekiel 33:2-9
Son of man, give a word to the children of your people, and say to them, When I make the sword come on a land, if the people of the land take a man from among their number and make him their watchman:
1 Corinthians 15:14
And if Christ did not come again from the dead, then our good news and your faith in it are of no effect.
Galatians 4:11
I am in fear of you, that I may have been working for you to no purpose.