Parallel Verses
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.
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.
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 Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor uselessly. Unless the LORD guards the city, its security forces keep watch uselessly. 2 It is useless to get up early and to stay up late, eating the food of exhausting labor truly he gives sleep to those he loves.
Phrases
Cross References
Psalm 33:16-18
A king is not saved by a large army; a mighty soldier is not delivered by his great strength.
Proverbs 16:9
A person plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.
Proverbs 21:30-31
No wisdom, insight, or counsel can prevail against the LORD.
1 Corinthians 3:7
So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is significant, but God, who keeps everything growing, is the one who matters.
1 Chronicles 28:10
So keep watching, because the LORD has chosen you to build the Temple of his sanctuary. So be strong, and get to work!"
1 Chronicles 28:20
David continued with these words for his son Solomon: "Be strong and courageous, and get to work. Never be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you nor will he abandon you right up to your completion of the work for the service of the Temple of the LORD.
1 Chronicles 29:19
granting to my son Solomon to keep with a devoted heart your commands, your decrees, and your statutes, carrying out all of them, and that he may build the Temple for which I have made the preparations.
Psalm 78:69
He built his sanctuary, high as the heavens, like the earth that he established forever.
Psalm 120:1
I cried to the LORD in my distress, and he responded to me.
Psalm 121:1
I lift up my eyes toward the mountains from where will my help come?
Psalm 121:3-5
He will never let your foot slip, nor will your guardian become drowsy.
Psalm 122:1
I rejoiced when they kept on asking me, "Let us go to the LORD's Temple."
Psalm 123:1
To you, who sit enthroned in heaven, I lift up my eyes.
Psalm 124:1
If the LORD had not been on our side let Israel now say
Psalm 126:1
When the LORD brought back Zion's exiles, we were like dreamers.
Ecclesiastes 9:11
I considered and observed on earth the following: The race doesn't go to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor food to the wise, nor wealth to the smart, nor recognition to the skilled. Instead, timing and circumstances meet them all.
Jeremiah 51:12
Lift up the battle standard against Babylon's walls. Strengthen the guard; post watchmen. Set men in position for an ambush. For the LORD will both plan and carry out what he has declared against the inhabitants of Babylon.
Zechariah 2:4-5
That other angel told him, "Run and tell that young man: "Jerusalem will be an inhabited city without walls due to the number of people and livestock within it.
1 Corinthians 3:9-15
For we are God's co-workers. You are God's farmland and God's building.
1 Chronicles 22:10-11
He will build a temple to my name. He will be a son to me, I myself will be a father to him, and I will secure his royal throne in Israel forever.'
Psalm 72:1
God, endow the king with ability to render your justice, and the king's son to render your right decisions.
Psalm 125:1
Those who are trusting in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be overthrown. They remain forever.
Song of Songs 3:3
The watchmen who go all around the city found me. I asked, "Have you seen the one I love?"
Song of Songs 5:7
The watchmen making their rounds through the city found me. They beat me, they bruised me. Those guarding the walls took my cloak from me.
Isaiah 21:5-12
They set the tables; they spread the carpets; they eat, they drink! Get up, you officers! Oil the shields!"
Isaiah 27:3
I, the LORD, watch over it And I water it continuously. I guard it night and day so no one can harm it.
Isaiah 56:10
His watchmen are blind; they are all without knowledge. They are all dumb dogs they cannot bark. They keep on dreaming and lying around, and they're lovers of sleep!
Isaiah 62:6
"Upon your walls, Jerusalem, I have posted watchmen; all day and all night they won't remain silent. You who make mention of the LORD, take no rest,
Jeremiah 51:31
One runner runs to meet another runner, and one messenger to meet another messenger, to tell the king of Babylon that his city has been seized from one end to the other.
Ezekiel 33:2-9
"Son of Man, speak to your nation's children and tell them: "If I bring war to a land, and the people of that land appoint one of their conscripted men to serve as a sentinel,
1 Corinthians 15:14
and if the Messiah has not been raised, then our message means nothing and your faith means nothing.
Galatians 4:11
I am afraid for you! I don't want my work for you to have been wasted!