Parallel Verses
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 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.
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, 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. 2 It is vain for you to rise early, come home late, and work so hard for your food. Yes, he can provide for those whom he loves even when they sleep.
Phrases
Cross References
Psalm 33:16-18
No king is delivered by his vast army; a warrior is not saved by his great might.
Proverbs 16:9
A person plans his course, but the Lord directs his steps.
Proverbs 21:30-31
There is no wisdom and there is no understanding, and there is no counsel against the Lord.
1 Corinthians 3:7
So neither the one who plants counts for anything, nor the one who waters, but God who causes the growth.
1 Chronicles 28:10
Realize now that the Lord has chosen you to build a temple as his sanctuary. Be strong and do it!"
1 Chronicles 28:20
David said to his son Solomon: "Be strong and brave! Do it! Don't be afraid and don't panic! For the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not leave you or abandon you before all the work for the service of the Lord's temple is finished.
1 Chronicles 29:19
Make my son Solomon willing to obey your commands, rules, and regulations, and to complete building the palace for which I have made preparations."
Psalm 78:69
He made his sanctuary as enduring as the heavens above; as secure as the earth, which he established permanently.
Psalm 120:1
A song of ascents. In my distress I cried out to the Lord and he answered me.
Psalm 121:1
A song of ascents. I look up toward the hills. From where does my help come?
Psalm 121:3-5
May he not allow your foot to slip! May your protector not sleep!
Psalm 122:1
A song of ascents, by David. I was glad because they said to me, "We will go to the Lord's temple."
Psalm 123:1
A song of ascents. I look up toward you, the one enthroned in heaven.
Psalm 124:1
A song of ascents, by David. "If the Lord had not been on our side" -- let Israel say this! --
Psalm 126:1
A song of ascents. When the Lord restored the well-being of Zion, we thought we were dreaming.
Ecclesiastes 9:11
Again, I observed this on the earth: the race is not always won by the swiftest, the battle is not always won by the strongest; prosperity does not always belong to those who are the wisest, wealth does not always belong to those who are the most discerning, nor does success always come to those with the most knowledge -- for time and chance may overcome them all.
Jeremiah 51:12
Give the signal to attack Babylon's wall! Bring more guards! Post them all around the city! Put men in ambush! For the Lord will do what he has planned. He will do what he said he would do to the people of Babylon.
Zechariah 2:4-5
and said to him, "Hurry, speak to this young man as follows: 'Jerusalem will no longer be enclosed by walls because of the multitude of people and animals there.
1 Corinthians 3:9-15
We are coworkers belonging to God. You are God's field, God's building.
1 Chronicles 22:10-11
He will build a temple to honor me; he will become my son, and I will become his father. I will grant to his dynasty permanent rule over Israel.'
Psalm 72:1
For Solomon. O God, grant the king the ability to make just decisions! Grant the king's son the ability to make fair decisions!
Psalm 125:1
A song of ascents. Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion; it cannot be upended and will endure forever.
Song of Songs 3:3
The night watchmen found me -- the ones who guard the city walls. "Have you seen my beloved?"
Song of Songs 5:7
The watchmen found me as they made their rounds in the city. They beat me, they bruised me; they took away my cloak, those watchmen on the walls!
Isaiah 21:5-12
Arrange the table, lay out the carpet, eat and drink! Get up, you officers, smear oil on the shields!
Isaiah 27:3
I, the Lord, protect it; I water it regularly. I guard it night and day, so no one can harm it.
Isaiah 56:10
All their watchmen are blind, they are unaware. All of them are like mute dogs, unable to bark. They pant, lie down, and love to snooze.
Isaiah 62:6
I post watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they should keep praying all day and all night. You who pray to the Lord, don't be silent!
Jeremiah 51:31
One runner after another will come to the king of Babylon. One messenger after another will come bringing news. They will bring news to the king of Babylon that his whole city has been captured.
Ezekiel 33:2-9
"Son of man, speak to your people, and say to them, 'Suppose I bring a sword against the land, and the people of the land take one man from their borders and make him their watchman.
1 Corinthians 15:14
And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is futile and your faith is empty.
Galatians 4:11
I fear for you that my work for you may have been in vain.