Parallel Verses New International Version A song of ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. King James Bible 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. Darby Bible 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: 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. Young's 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. Psalm 127:1 Parallel Commentary Clarke's Commentary on the BibleExcept 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 b ben, a son, and tb bath, a daughter, and tyb beith, a house, come from the same root hnb 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 armor 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. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge A Song. Psalm 120:1 In my distress I cried to the LORD, and he heard me. Psalm 121:1 I will lift up my eyes to the hills, from where comes my help. Psalm 122:1 I was glad when they said to me, Let us go into the house of the LORD. Psalm 123:1 To you lift I up my eyes, O you that dwell in the heavens. Psalm 124:1 If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, now may Israel say; Psalm 126:1 When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. for Solomon. or, of Solomon Psalm 72:1 Give the king your judgments, O God, and your righteousness to the king's son. The Lord Proverbs 16:9 A man's heart devises his way: but the LORD directs his steps. Proverbs 21:30,31 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD... build they labour Galatians 4:11 I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed on you labor in vain. that build it. Heb. that are builders of it in it Psalm 121:3-5 He will not suffer your foot to be moved: he that keeps you will not slumber... Zechariah 2:4,5 And said to him, Run, speak to this young man, saying... the watchman Library The Peculiar Sleep of the BelovedThe Psalmist says there are some men who deny themselves sleep. For purposes of gain, or ambition, they rise up early and sit up late. Some of us who are here present may have been guilty of the same thing. We have risen early in the morning that we might turn over the ponderous volume, in order to acquire knowledge; we have sat at night until our burned-out lamp has chidden us, and told us that the sun was rising; while our eyes have ached, our brain has throbbed, our heart has palpitated. We have … Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 1: 1855 Or are we Indeed to Believe that it is for any Other Reason... Cross References Leviticus 26:20 Your strength will be spent in vain, because your soil will not yield its crops, nor will the trees of your land yield their fruit. Psalm 78:69 He built his sanctuary like the heights, like the earth that he established forever. Psalm 121:3 He will not let your foot slip-- he who watches over you will not slumber; Psalm 121:4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. Psalm 126:6 Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them. Jump to Previous Ascents Awake Build Builders Building Builds City Degrees Except Guard Guards Helping House Keeper Keeps Labor Purpose Solomon Solomon&Gt Song Stand Stays Unless Vain Waketh Watch Watches Watcheth Watchman WatchmenJump to Next Ascents Awake Build Builders Building Builds City Degrees Except Guard Guards Helping House Keeper Keeps Labor Purpose Solomon Solomon&Gt Song Stand Stays Unless Vain Waketh Watch Watches Watcheth Watchman WatchmenLinks Psalm 127:1 NIVPsalm 127:1 NLT Psalm 127:1 ESV Psalm 127:1 NASB Psalm 127:1 KJV Psalm 127:1 Bible Apps Psalm 127:1 Biblia Paralela Psalm 127:1 Chinese Bible Psalm 127:1 French Bible Psalm 127:1 German Bible Psalm 127:1 Commentaries THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica®. Bible Hub |