Parallel Verses
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.
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:
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 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. 2 In vain for you rising early to arise from after sitting; eating the bread of toils: so will he give to his beloved sleep.
Phrases
Cross References
Psalm 33:16-18
The king was not saved by much strength: the strong one will not be delivered by much power.
Proverbs 16:9
The heart of man will purpose his ways, and Jehovah will prepare his steps.
Proverbs 21:30-31
No wisdom and no understanding, and no counsel against Jehovah.
1 Corinthians 3:7
So that neither he planting is anything, neither he watering; but God increasing.
1 Chronicles 28:10
See now; for Jehovah chose in thee to build a house for a holy place: be strong and do.
1 Chronicles 28:20
And David will say to Solomon his son, Be strong and be active, and do: thou shalt not fear, and thou shalt not be terrified, for Jehovah God, my God, is with thee; he will not be slack to thee, and he will not forsake thee till the finishing all the works of the service of the house of Jehovah.
1 Chronicles 29:19
And to Solomon my son wilt thou give a whole heart to watch thy commands, thy testimonies, and thy laws, and to do the whole, and to build the fortress which I prepared.
Psalm 78:69
And he will build his holy place as of buffaloes, as the earth he founded it forever.
Psalm 120:1
Song of ascensions. I called to Jehovah in straits to me, and he will answer me.
Psalm 121:1
Song of ascensions. I will lift up mine eyes to the mountains from whence shall come my help.
Psalm 121:3-5
He will not give to move thy foot: he watching thee will not slumber.
Psalm 122:1
Song of ascensions to David. I was glad in their saying to me, We will go to the house of Jehovah.
Psalm 123:1
Song of ascensions. To thee dwelling in the heavens I lifted up mine eyes.
Psalm 124:1
Song of ascensions to David. Unless Jehovah was to us, now shall Israel say,
Psalm 126:1
Song of ascensions. In Jehovah turning back the returning of we were as those dreaming.
Ecclesiastes 9:11
I turned back, and saw under the sun that not to the fleet the race, and the war not to the strong, and also not to the wise, bread; and also not to the understanding ones, riches; and also not to the knowing, favor; for time and chance will light upon all of them.
Jeremiah 51:12
Lift ye up a signal against the walls of Babel, strengthen the watch, set up the watchers, prepare the ambushes: for Jehovah also purposed and also did what he spake to the inhabitants of Babel.
Zechariah 2:4-5
And he will say to him, Run, speak to this youth, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited an open country from the multitude of men and cattle in the midst of her.
1 Corinthians 3:9-15
For we are workers together with God: the agriculture of God, ye are the building of God.
1 Chronicles 22:10-11
He shall build a house to my name; and he shall be to me for son, and I to him for father; and I prepared the throne of his kingdom over Israel even to forever.
Psalm 72:1
To Solomon. O God, thou wilt give thy judgments to the king, and thy justice to the king's son.
Psalm 125:1
Song of ascensions. They trusting in Jehovah are as mount Zion; it shall not be moved; remaining forever.
Song of Songs 3:3
They watching going about in the city, found me: Saw ye him that my soul loved?
Song of Songs 5:7
They watching going round about in the city, found me; they struck me, they wounded me: they watching the wall took away my veil from me.
Isaiah 21:5-12
Set in order the table; view the watch-tower; eat, drink: arise ye chiefs, anoint the shield.
Isaiah 27:3
I Jehovah watched her; for the moments I will water her; lest he will review upon her, night and day I will watch her.
Isaiah 56:10
Look about, ye blind; they all knew not, they all dumb dogs, they shall not be able to bark; dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber.
Isaiah 62:6
I appointed those watching over thy walls, O Jerusalem: all the day and all the night continually they shall not be silent: ye remembering Jehovah, no stillness to you.
Jeremiah 51:31
A runner shall run to meet a runner, and he announcing, to meet him announcing, to announce to the king of Babel that his city was taken from the extremity.
Ezekiel 33:2-9
Son of man, speak to the sons of thy people and say to them, A land, when I shall bring the sword upon her, and the people of the land took one man from their extremities, and they gave him to them for a watchman.
1 Corinthians 15:14
And if Christ has not risen, then our proclaiming vain, and also your faith vain.
Galatians 4:11
I am afraid of you, lest I have been wearied for you in vain.