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Psalms 127

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1Except Jehovah build the house, They labor in vain that build it: Except Jehovah keep the city, The watchman waketh but in vain.

2It is vain for you to rise up early, To take rest late, To eat the bread of toil; Forso he giveth unto his beloved sleep.

3Lo, children are a heritage of Jehovah; Andthe fruit of the womb ishisreward.

4As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, So are the children of youth.

5Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: They shall not be put to shame, When they speak with their enemies in the gate.

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Parallel translations · Psalms 127:1

WEB · World English Bible (2000)

Except Jehovah build the house, They labor in vain that build it: Except Jehovah keep the city, The watchman waketh but in vain.

KJV · King James Version (1611)

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.

ASV · American Standard Version (1901)

Except Jehovah build the house, They labor in vain that build it: Except Jehovah keep the city, The watchman waketh but in vain.

BBE · Bible in Basic English (1949)

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.

YLT · Young's Literal Translation (1862)

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.

DRA · Douay-Rheims (Challoner) (1752)

A gradual canticle. Blessed are all they that fear the Lord: that walk in his ways.

DBY · Darby Bible (1890)

Unless Jehovah build the house, in vain do its builders labour in it; unless Jehovah keep the city, the keeper watcheth in vain:

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Key cross-references

From the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — verses that illuminate Psalms 127:1.

Isaiah 56:10
His watchmen are blind, they are all without knowledge; they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber.
Psalms 122:1
I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go unto the house of Jehovah.
Proverbs 16:9
A man’s heart deviseth his way; But Jehovah directeth his steps.
Proverbs 21:30
There is no wisdom nor understanding Nor counsel against Jehovah.
Jeremiah 51:31
One post shall run to meet another, and one messenger to meet another, to show the king of Babylon that his city is taken on every quarter:
Psalms 121:3
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: He that keepeth thee will not slumber.

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Want to dig deeper? Explore Psalms 127

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Psalms 127.

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Train up a child in the way he should go.

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Be slow to anger, quick to listen, and quick to forgive.

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Cast your worries on him, because he cares for you.

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Keep following this chapter

Topics, people, original-language word studies, and devotionals that touch Psalms 127.

Topics

Bible Verses About Children

God’s Word provides profound insights into the rearing, value, and blessing of children, as well as the responsibilities of both parents and children.

Bible Verses About Family

The Bible emphasizes the importance of family, both biological and spiritual, as a foundational unit in God's design.

Bible answers

What does the Bible say about parenting?

Train up a child in the way he should go.

What does the Bible say about anger?

Be slow to anger, quick to listen, and quick to forgive.

Hebrew & Greek roots

(Hebrew)

Predominantly used to depict an arrow as a weapon for hunting or warfare, but can also refer to a spear shaft or a divine instrument of judgment.

(Hebrew)

This noun refers to the literal fruit of plants, trees, and wombs, and figuratively to the outcome and reward of actions.

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People

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Shepherd, psalmist, and second king of Israel — 'a man after God's own heart' from whose line Christ would come.

Places

Jerusalem

Israel's holy city — site of the temple, the cross, and the empty tomb.

Babylon

The Mesopotamian empire that destroyed Jerusalem in 586 BC and carried Judah into exile.

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Psalms 128 →

"Blessed is every one that feareth Jehovah, That walketh in his ways."