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
A mighty army does not save the king. A warrior is not delivered by great strength.
Proverbs 16:9
A man's heart determines his way. Jehovah directs his steps.
Proverbs 21:30-31
There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against Jehovah!
1 Corinthians 3:7
Neither he that plants and neither he that waters is anything; but God gives the increase.
1 Chronicles 28:10
So be careful, because Jehovah has chosen you to build the Temple as his holy place. Be strong, and do it.
1 Chronicles 28:20
David also told his son Solomon: Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do no be afraid or terrified. Jehovah God, my God, will be with you. He will not abandon you until all the work on Jehovah's Temple is finished.
1 Chronicles 29:19
Give my son Solomon a wholehearted desire to obey everything that you command and to build the Temple for which I have made these preparations.
Psalm 78:69
He built his holy place to be like the high heavens, like the earth that he made to last for a long time.
Psalm 120:1
When I was in trouble, I cried out to Jehovah, and he answered me.
Psalm 121:1
I will lift up my eyes to the mountains from where my help comes.
Psalm 121:3-5
He will not allow your foot to slip. He who keeps you will not slumber.
Psalm 122:1
([Psalm of David]) I was glad when they said to me: Let us go to the house of Jehovah.
Psalm 123:1
To You I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens!
Psalm 124:1
([Psalm of David]) If Jehovah was not on our side, let Israel now say:
Psalm 126:1
When Jehovah brought back the captive ones of Zion, it was like a dream.
Ecclesiastes 9:11
I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift. The battle is not to the strong. Bread does not go to the wise, or riches to men of understanding. Men of skill do not always receive favor, but time and unexpected circumstance happens to them all.
Jeremiah 51:12
Give the signal to attack Babylon's walls. Strengthen the guard! Post the sentries! Place troops in ambush! Jehovah has done what he said he would do to the people of Babylon.
Zechariah 2:4-5
He said to him: Run and speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem will be inhabited as villages without walls, by reason of the multitude of men and cattle there.
1 Corinthians 3:9-15
For we are fellow workers together with God. You are God's field under cultivation. You are God's building.
1 Chronicles 22:10-11
He is the one who will build a house for my name. He will be my son, and I will be his father. I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for a very ong time.'
Psalm 72:1
([Prayers of David]) O God, give the king your justice. Give your righteousness to the royal son.
Psalm 125:1
They who trust in Jehovah are like Mount Zion. It is not shaken, but remains forever.
Song of Songs 3:3
The watchmen who go about the city found me. I said to them: 'Did you see the one I love?'
Song of Songs 5:7
The watchmen that went about the city found me, they struck me, they wounded me; the keepers of the walls took my veil from me.
Isaiah 21:5-12
They set the table, they spread out the cloth, they eat, they drink; Rise up, captains, oil the shields,
Isaiah 27:3
I, Jehovah, watch over it. I water it continually. I guard it day and night so that no one may harm it.
Isaiah 56:10
Israel's watchmen are blind. They all lack knowledge they are all mute dogs. They cannot bark. They just lie around and dream, they love to sleep.
Isaiah 62:6
I have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem. They will never be silent day or night. Whoever calls on Jehovah, do not allow yourselves any rest,
Jeremiah 51:31
Runners run to meet runners. Messengers follow messengers. They inform the king of Babylon that his entire city is captured.
Ezekiel 33:2-9
Son of man, speak to your people. Tell them: 'Suppose I bring war on this country and the people of this country choose one of their men and make him their watchman.
1 Corinthians 15:14
And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is worth nothing, and your faith is also without value.
Galatians 4:11
I fear for you, that I have labored for you to no purpose (and failed).