the Week of Christ the King / Proper 29 / Ordinary 34
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King James Version
Psalms 127:1
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A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. A psalm of Solomon.
Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good.A Song of Ascents; of Solomon. If Yahweh does not build the house, They labor in vain that build it: If Yahweh does not keep the city, The watchman wakes but in vain.
A song for going up to worship. Of Solomon.
If the Lord doesn't build the house, the builders are working for nothing. If the Lord doesn't guard the city, the guards are watching for nothing.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.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.
<> Unless Yahweh builds the house, They labor in vain who build it. Unless Yahweh watches over the city, The watchman guards it in vain.
Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain.
A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.
Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.The `title of the hundrid and sixe and twentithe `salm. The song of greces of Salomon. `No but the Lord bilde the hous; thei that bilden it han trauelid in veyn. No but the Lord kepith the citee; he wakith in veyn that kepith it.
A Song of Ascents; of 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.
A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain; unless the LORD protects the city, its watchmen stand guard in vain.
(A song by Solomon for worship.)
Without the help of the Lord it is useless to build a home or to guard a city.A Song of Ascents; of Solomon.
Except Jehovah build the house, They labor in vain that build it: Except Jehovah keep the city, The watchman waketh but in vain.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.
A song of ascents. By Shlomo: Unless Adonai builds the house, its builders work in vain. Unless Adonai guards the city, the guard keeps watch in vain.
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:A song from Solomon for going up to the Temple.
If it is not the Lord who builds a house, the builders are wasting their time. If it is not the Lord who watches over the city, the guards are wasting their time.A Song of Ascents; of Solomon. {N}except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
[A song of degrees for Solomon.] Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vaine that build it: except the Lord keepe the citie, the watchman waketh but in vaine.
Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders work for nothing. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the men who watch over it stay awake for nothing.
A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.
Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord guards the city, the guard keeps watch in vain.A song of degrees, or Psalme of Salomon. Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vaine that build it: except the Lorde keepe the citie, the keeper watcheth in vaine.
EXCEPT the LORD build the house, they labor in vain who build it; except the LORD keep the city, the watchmen stay awake in vain.
If the Lord does not build the house, the work of the builders is useless; if the Lord does not protect the city, it does no good for the sentries to stand guard.
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:
(126-1) <A gradual canticle of Solomon.> Unless the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it. Unless the Lord keep the city, he watcheth in vain that keepeth it.
A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.
If GOD wyll not buylde the house, they labour in vayne that buylde it: if God kepe not the citie, the watchman waketh in vayne.
Except the Lord build the house, they that build labour in vain: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman watches in vain.
Unless the Lord builds a house,its builders labor over it in vain;unless the Lord watches over a city,the watchman stays alert in vain.
<> 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.
A song of ascents. Of Solomon.
Unless Yahweh builds a house, its builders labor at it in vain. Unless Yahweh guards a city, a guard watches in vain.A Song of Ascents, for Solomon. If Jehovah does not build the house, they who build it labor in vain; if Jehovah does not keep the city, the one keeping it stays awake in vain.
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.
Excepte the LORDE buylde the house, their labour is but lost that buylde it.
A Pilgrim Song of Solomon If God doesn't build the house, the builders only build shacks. If God doesn't guard the city, the night watchman might as well nap. It's useless to rise early and go to bed late, and work your worried fingers to the bone. Don't you know he enjoys giving rest to those he loves?
Unless the LORD builds a house, They who build it labor in vain; Unless the LORD guards a city, The watchman stays awake in vain.
Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain.
A Song of Ascents, of Solomon.
Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain.Unless Yahweh builds the house,They labor in vain who build it;Unless Yahweh watches the city,The watchman keeps awake in vain.
Contextual Overview
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
for Solomon: or, of Solomon, Psalms 72:1, *title
The Lord: Psalms 33:16-18, Proverbs 16:9, Proverbs 21:30, Proverbs 21:31, Ecclesiastes 9:11, 1 Corinthians 3:7
build: 1 Chronicles 22:10, 1 Chronicles 22:11, 1 Chronicles 28:10, 1 Chronicles 28:20, 1 Chronicles 29:19, 1 Corinthians 3:9-15
they labour: 1 Corinthians 15:14, Galatians 4:11
that build it: Heb. that are builders of it in it
except: Psalms 121:3-5, Isaiah 27:3, Zechariah 2:4, Zechariah 2:5
the watchman: Song of Solomon 3:3, Song of Solomon 5:7, Isaiah 21:5-12, Isaiah 56:10, Isaiah 62:6, Jeremiah 51:12, Jeremiah 51:31, Ezekiel 33:2-9
Reciprocal: Genesis 1:28 - General Genesis 2:22 - made Genesis 24:12 - I pray Genesis 28:3 - God Exodus 1:21 - made them Leviticus 26:6 - ye shall Leviticus 26:20 - your strength Deuteronomy 8:18 - he that Joshua 2:2 - told the king Joshua 6:1 - because 2 Samuel 7:11 - he will make 1 Kings 2:24 - made me 2 Kings 6:27 - whence 2 Kings 7:10 - the porter 2 Kings 19:26 - of small power 1 Chronicles 17:10 - the Lord 2 Chronicles 17:5 - the Lord Nehemiah 7:3 - Let not the gates Psalms 121:4 - he that Isaiah 21:8 - I stand Isaiah 37:27 - their inhabitants Jeremiah 51:58 - the people Habakkuk 2:13 - is it Malachi 1:4 - They shall build Luke 5:5 - we Romans 11:25 - until 1 Corinthians 3:6 - God 1 Thessalonians 2:1 - in vain
Gill's Notes on the Bible
Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it,.... Whether it be understood literally of an artificial house, as Solomon's own house; or the house of the Lord, or any other: let a man be ever so bent upon building one, or have ever so much skill in drawing the plan of it, or be ever so well provided to go through the expense of it, or have ever so many hands employed in it, yet, if the Lord does not give success, it will all be in vain; the building will fall down, or be consumed by fire before it is finished; or by one providence or another he will be obliged to desist from it, as in the case of the builders of the tower and city of Babel. Or whether it be understood of a family, which is built up by an increase and multiplication of children; so Leah and Rachel built up the house of Israel, Ruth 4:11; this depends upon the providence of God; for, as it is after said, "children are an heritage of the Lord", Psalms 127:3. Or whether it be understood, figuratively and mystically, of the church God, the house of the living God; the house of Christ, a spiritual one; a Gospel church, whose materials are lively stones, or true believers. Now there are builders in this house, some indeed very bad ones; and it is no wonder that they labour in vain, who reject and lay aside the foundation and corner stone, Christ; who deny his deity, despise his righteousness; or mix grace and works, law and Gospel, together, and pluck down with one hand what they build with another: and though there are others that are good ones, and lay the foundation, Christ; and build on this foundation precious truths, comparable to gold, silver, and precious stones; minister the word, and administer the ordinances, truly and faithfully; and in all direct to Christ for grace, strength, peace, comfort, and eternal life; speak to edification, and are the means of reviving the graces of God's people, and of establishing their souls; as well as of the conversion of sinners, whereby the house of God is built up; yet if the Lord does not prosper their work, all is in vain. For the principal builder is God, Father, Son, and Spirit; this is mostly applied to the second Person, the Word and Wisdom of God, Proverbs 9:1; but not to the exclusion of the Father, who has laid in Zion a foundation, a precious corner stone, and builds souls on it; nor of the Spirit, through whom saints are built up an habitation for God, Isaiah 28:16. The Targum here is,
"if the Word of the Lord does not build the city.''
It follows,
except the Lord keep the city; the city Jerusalem, as the Targum; who also here makes mention of the Word of the Lord: or any other city: God, with the Heathens t was called πολιευς, the keeper of cities; this title is given to Minerva by Pindar u, and is one of Jupiter's titles w;
the watchman waketh [but] in vain; to preserve it from riots, robberies, fires, c. This may be applied to the church of God, the city of the living God, of which saints are fellow citizens: now in this city there are watchmen, some indeed that are blind and asleep, and so quite unfit for this office but there are others who are awake and diligent, and watch in all things; and for the souls of men, and the good of the city, the church, to prevent heresies, errors, and immoralities; and yet all their watchfulness is in vain, unless the Lord keep it, who watches over his people for good, and that none hurt them; he wakeful, never slumbers nor sleeps, and constant night and day; and keeps his people by his power, and as tenderly as the apple of his eye.
t Aristotel. de Mundo, c. 7. Apuleius de Mundo, prope finem. Phurnutus de Natura Deor. c. 9. u Olympiad. Ode 5. w Pausaniae Attica, sive l. 1. p. 43, 53. Vid Theoph. ad Autolye. l. 1. p. 76.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
Except the Lord build the house - Or rather, “a house.” The word “house” may refer either to an ordinary dwelling; to the temple, as a place of worship; or to a family, with reference to its success and prosperity, as the word house is often used now. The statement is universal, and is designed to indicate a universal dependence on God in human undertakings, though it is not improbable that there may have been an allusion, when the psalm was composed, to some building which was contemplated or commenced. If the psalm was a composition of David or Solomon, the allusion way have been to the temple about to be erected. The language, however, is so general as to be applicable to any enterprise of that kind.
They labor in vain that build it - literally, “In vain toil its builders in it.” The idea is, that they are entirely dependent on God. No matter what their skill, their strength, their industry may be - all will be in vain unless God shall assist them. They are dependent on Him for life, for health, for strength, for practical wisdom, for a disposition to continue their work, and for success in it. Their work might be destroyed by fire, by a tempest, by an earthquake, or by an irruption of enemies; and for the result, therefore, they are entirely dependent on God.
Except the Lord keep the city - The same idea of dependence is here repeated in another form. The preservation of a city depends wholly on God, whatever care or precaution may be used.
The watchman waketh but in vain - literally, “In vain waketh the keeper.” The word rendered waketh means to be sleepless; and then, to watch. The allusion is to the watch or guard appointed to keep a city, and the idea is, that, whatever may be the diligence, the care, the fidelity of one thus appointed to guard a city, its safe-keeping must depend on God alone. Fires may break out in spite of the watchmen; a tempest may sweep over it; bands of armed people may assail it; or the pestilence may suddenly come into it, and spread desolation through its dwellings. There may have been an allusion in this to some immediate arrangement for guarding Jerusalem when the psalm was composed; but the remark is so general that it is not necessary to confine it to that. It is universally true that, after all the care for their own preservation which people can employ, their safety depends wholly on God.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
PSALM CXXVII
The necessity of God's blessing on every undertaking, without
which no prosperity can be expected, 1, 2.
Children are a heritage from the Lord, 3, 4.
A fruitful wife is a blessing to her husband, 5.
NOTES ON PSALM CXXVII
The Hebrew, Chaldee, and Vulgate attribute this Psalm to Solomon. The Syriac says it is "A Psalm of David concerning Solomon; and that it was spoken also concerning Haggai and Zechariah, who forwarded the building of the temple." The Septuagint, AEthiopic, Arabic, and Anglo-Saxon have no title, but simply "A Psalm of Degrees." It was most likely composed for the building of the second temple, under Nehemiah, and by some prophet of that time.
Verse Psalms 127:1. Except the Lord build the house — To build a house is taken in three different senses in the sacred writings.
1. To build the temple of the Lord, which was called הבית habbeith, the house, by way of eminence.
2. To build any ordinary house, or place of dwelling.
3. To have a numerous offspring.
In this sense it is supposed to be spoken concerning the Egyptian midwives; that because they feared the Lord, therefore he built them houses. See the note on Exodus 1:21. But, however, the above passage may be interpreted, it is a fact that בן ben, a son, and בת bath, a daughter, and בית beith, a house, come from the same root בנה banah, to build; because sons and daughters build up a household, or constitute a family, as much and as really as stones and timber constitute a building. Now it is true that unless the good hand of God be upon us we cannot prosperously build a place of worship for his name. Unless we have his blessing, a dwelling-house cannot be comfortably erected. And if his blessing be not on our children, the house (the family) may be built up, but instead of its being the house of God, it will be the synagogue of Satan. All marriages that are not under God's blessing will be a private and public curse. This we see every day.
Except the Lord keep the city — When the returned Jews began to restore the walls of Jerusalem, and rebuild the city, Sanballat, Tobiah, and others formed plots to prevent it. Nehemiah, being informed of this, set up proper watches and guards. The enemy, finding this, gathered themselves together, and determined to fall upon them at once, and cut them all off. Nehemiah, having gained intelligence of this also, armed his people, and placed them behind the wall. Sanballat and his company, finding that the Jews were prepared for resistance, abandoned their project; and Nehemiah, to prevent surprises of this kind, kept one-half of the people always under arms, while the other half was employed in the work. To this the psalmist alludes; and in effect says, Though you should watch constantly, guard every place, and keep on your armour ready to repel every attack, yet remember the success of all depends upon the presence and blessing of God. While, therefore, ye are not slothful in business, be fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; for there is no success either in spiritual or secular undertakings but in consequence of the benediction of the Almighty.
