Parallel Verses
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.
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.
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 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. 2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
Phrases
Cross References
Psalm 33:16-18
There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.
Proverbs 16:9
A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.
Proverbs 21:30-31
There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
1 Corinthians 3:7
So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
1 Chronicles 28:10
Take heed now; for the LORD hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it.
1 Chronicles 28:20
And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.
1 Chronicles 29:19
And give unto Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep thy commandments, thy testimonies, and thy statutes, and to do all these things, and to build the palace, for the which I have made provision.
Psalm 78:69
And he built his sanctuary like high palaces, like the earth which he hath established for ever.
Psalm 120:1
{A Song of degrees.} In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me.
Psalm 121:1
{A Song of degrees.} I will 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: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
Psalm 122:1
{A Song of degrees of David.} I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.
Psalm 123:1
{A Song of degrees.} Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens.
Psalm 124:1
{A Song of degrees of David.} If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, now may Israel say;
Psalm 126:1
{A Song of degrees.} When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.
Ecclesiastes 9:11
I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.
Jeremiah 51:12
Set up the standard upon the walls of Babylon, make the watch strong, set up the watchmen, prepare the ambushes: for the LORD hath both devised and done that which he spake against the inhabitants of Babylon.
Zechariah 2:4-5
And said unto him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein:
1 Corinthians 3:9-15
For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
1 Chronicles 22:10-11
He shall build an house for my name; and he shall be my son, and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever.
Psalm 72:1
{A Psalm for Solomon.} Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son.
Psalm 125:1
{A Song of degrees.} They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.
Song of Songs 3:3
The watchmen that go about the city found me: to whom I said, Saw ye him whom my soul loveth?
Song of Songs 5:7
The watchmen that went about the city found me, they smote me, they wounded me; the keepers of the walls took away my veil from me.
Isaiah 21:5-12
Prepare the table, watch in the watchtower, eat, drink: arise, ye princes, and anoint the shield.
Isaiah 27:3
I the LORD do keep it; I will water it every moment: lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day.
Isaiah 56:10
His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.
Isaiah 62:6
I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence,
Jeremiah 51:31
One post shall run to meet another, and one messenger to meet another, to shew the king of Babylon that his city is taken at one end,
Ezekiel 33:2-9
Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman:
1 Corinthians 15:14
And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
Galatians 4:11
I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.