Parallel Verses
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.
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 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.
Phrases
Cross References
Psalm 33:16-18
The king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.
Proverbs 16:9
The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.
Proverbs 21:30-31
No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the LORD.
1 Corinthians 3:7
So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.
1 Chronicles 28:10
Be careful now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong and do it."
1 Chronicles 28:20
Then David said to Solomon his son, "Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the LORD God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished.
1 Chronicles 29:19
Grant to Solomon my son a whole heart that he may keep your commandments, your testimonies, and your statutes, performing all, and that he may build the palace for which I have made provision."
Psalm 78:69
He built his sanctuary like the high heavens, like the earth, which he has founded forever.
Psalm 120:1
In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me.
Psalm 121:1
I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?
Psalm 121:3-5
He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.
Psalm 122:1
I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the LORD!"
Psalm 123:1
To you I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned 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 LORDrestored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.
Ecclesiastes 9:11
Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, 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 up watchmen; prepare the ambushes; for the LORD has both planned and done what he spoke concerning the inhabitants of Babylon.
Zechariah 2:4-5
and said to him, "Run, say to that young man, 'Jerusalem shall be inhabited as villages without walls, because of the multitude of people and livestock in it.
1 Corinthians 3:9-15
For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building.
1 Chronicles 22:10-11
He shall build a house for my name. He shall be my son, and I will be his father, and I will establish his royal throne in Israel forever.'
Psalm 72:1
Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to the royal son!
Psalm 125:1
Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
Song of Songs 3:3
The watchmen found me as they went about in the city. "Have you seen him whom my soul loves?"
Song of Songs 5:7
The watchmen found me as they went about in the city; they beat me, they bruised me, they took away my veil, those watchmen of the walls.
Isaiah 21:5-12
They prepare the table, they spread the rugs, they eat, they drink. Arise, O princes; oil the shield!
Isaiah 27:3
I, the LORD, am its keeper; every moment I water it. Lest anyone punish it, I keep it night and day;
Isaiah 56:10
His watchmen are blind; they are all without knowledge; they are all silent dogs; they cannot bark, dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber.
Isaiah 62:6
On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have set watchmen; all the day and all the night they shall never be silent. You who put the LORD in remembrance, take no rest,
Jeremiah 51:31
One runner runs to meet another, and one messenger to meet another, to tell the king of Babylon that his city is taken on every side;
Ezekiel 33:2-9
"Son of man, speak to your people and say to them, If I bring the sword upon a land, and the people of the land take a man from among them, and make him their watchman,
1 Corinthians 15:14
And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.
Galatians 4:11
I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain.