Parallel Verses
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.
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.
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 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. 2 It is but lost labour that ye rise up early, and take no rest, but eat the bread of carefulness; for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
Phrases
Cross References
Psalm 33:16-18
There is no king that can be saved by the multitude of a host; neither is any mighty man delivered by much strength.
Proverbs 16:9
A man deviseth a way in his heart; but it is the LORD that ordereth his goings.
Proverbs 21:30-31
There is no wisdom, there is no understanding, there is no counsel against the LORD.
1 Corinthians 3:7
So then, neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth: but God which gave the increase.
1 Chronicles 28:10
Take heed now, for the LORD hath chosen thee, to build a house of thy sanctuary. Be strong and do it."
1 Chronicles 28:20
And David said to Solomon his son, "Harden thyself and be strong and do it. Fear not, nor let thine heart discourage thee. For the LORD my God is with thee, and shall not leave thee nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work that must serve for the house of the LORD.
1 Chronicles 29:19
And give unto Solomon my son, a pure heart to keep thy commandments, thy testimonies and thine ordinances, and to do all, and to build the house which I intended."
Psalm 78:69
And there he built his temple on high, and laid the foundation of it like the ground, that it might perpetually endure.
Psalm 120:1
{A song of the stairs} When I am in trouble, I call upon the LORD, and he answereth me.
Psalm 121:1
{A song of the stairs} I lift up mine eyes unto the hills; from whence cometh my help?
Psalm 121:3-5
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved, and he that keepeth thee will not sleep.
Psalm 122:1
{A song of the stairs} I was glad when they said unto me, "We will go in to the house of the LORD."
Psalm 123:1
{A song of the stairs} Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens.
Psalm 124:1
{A song of the stairs} If the LORD himself had not been on our side - now may Israel say -
Psalm 126:1
{A song of the stairs} When the LORD turneth again the captivity of Zion, then were we like unto them that dream.
Ecclesiastes 9:11
So I turned me unto other things under the Sun, and I saw that in running it helpeth not to be swift; in battle it helpeth not to be strong; to feeding it helpeth not to be wise; to riches, it helpeth not to be suttle; to be had in favour, it helpeth not to be cunning: but that all lieth in time and fortune.
Jeremiah 51:12
Set up tokens upon the walls of Babylon, make your watch strong, set your watchmen in array, yea hold privy watches: and yet for all that shall the LORD go forth with the device, which he hath taken upon them that dwell in Babylon.
Zechariah 2:4-5
and said unto him, 'Run, speak to this young man, and say: Jerusalem shall be inhabited without any wall, for the very multitude of people and cattle, that shall be therein:
1 Corinthians 3:9-15
We are God's laborers: ye are God's husbandry, ye are 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 will establish the seat of his kingdom upon Israel forever.'
Psalm 72:1
{Of Solomon} Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son.
Psalm 125:1
{A song of the stairs} They that put their trust in the LORD are even as the mount Zion, which may not be removed, but standeth fast forever.
Song of Songs 3:3
The watchmen that go about the city found me, to whom I said: Saw ye not him whom my soul loveth?
Song of Songs 5:7
So the watchmen that went about the city found me, smote me, and wounded me: Yea they that kept the walls, took away my kerchief from me.
Isaiah 21:5-12
While they garnished the table, the watchman looked: and while he was eating and drinking it was said, "Up, ye Captains, take you to your shield."
Isaiah 27:3
I the LORD keep it, and water it in due season. I watch day and night, that no man break into it.
Isaiah 56:10
For his watchmen are all blind, they have altogether no understanding. They are all dumb dogs, no being able to bark; they are sleepery, sluggish, and lie snorting.
Isaiah 62:6
Upon the walls of Jerusalem, I have set keepers which shall never cease, neither by day nor yet by night.
Jeremiah 51:31
One pursuant shall meet another; yea, one post shall come by another; to bring the king of Babylon tidings that his city is taken in on every side:
Ezekiel 33:2-9
"Thou son of man, Speak to the children of thy people, and tell them, 'When I send a sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their country, and set him to be their watchman:
1 Corinthians 15:14
If Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also in vain.
Galatians 4:11
I am in fear of you, lest I have bestowed on you labour in vain.