Meaning, commentary and cross references
Psalms 127:1
“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.”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
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.
NIV · New International Version
Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.
WEB · World English Bible
A Song of Ascents. By Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, they who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman guards it in vain.
What does Psalms 127:1 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on Psalms 127:1
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…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible, on Psalms 127:1–5
For the raising of a family: Except the Lord build the house, by his providence and blessing, those labour in vain, though ever so ingenious, that build it. We may understand it of the material house: except the Lord bless the building it is to no purpose for men to build, any more than for the builders of Babel, who attempted in defiance of heaven, or Hiel, who built Jericho under a curse. If the model and design be laid in pride and vanity, or if the foundations be laid in oppression and injustice (Hab 2:11, Hab 2:12), God certainly does not build there; nay, if God be not acknowledged, we have no reason to expect his blessing, and without his blessing all is nothing. Or, rather, it is to…
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
John Calvin · Commentaries, on Psalms 127:1–2
1. Except Jehovah build the house. There is no reason why the Jews should deny that this Psalm was composed by Solomon. They think that the letter l, lamed, which we translate of, is equivalent to, in behalf of Solomon; which is at variance with common usage, for such a title in all cases designates the author.
John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: Psalms 127:1–4 (WEB)
1A Song of Ascents. By Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, they who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman guards it in vain. 2It is vain for you to rise up early, to stay up late, eating the bread of toil, for he gives sleep to his loved ones. 3Behold, children are a heritage of the LORD. The fruit of the womb is his reward. 4As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are the children of youth.
Cross references
- Proverbs 16:9
A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD directs his steps.
- 1 Corinthians 3:7
So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.
- Proverbs 21:30–31
There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
- 1 Corinthians 3:9–15
For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s farming, God’s building.
- Psalms 33:16–18
- Psalms 121:3–5
- Psalms 124:1
- 1 Chronicles 28:10
Take heed now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary. Be strong, and do it.”