Psalms 127:1

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ 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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

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.

Berean Standard Bible:

Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain; unless the LORD protects the city, its watchmen stand guard 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.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

A Song^{H7892} of degrees^{H4609} for Solomon^{H8010}. Except the LORD^{H3068} build^{H1129} the house^{H1004}, they labour^{H5998} in vain^{H7723} that build^{H1129} it: except the LORD^{H3068} keep^{H8104} the city^{H5892}, the watchman^{H8104} waketh^{H8245} but in vain^{H7723}.

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Commentary for Psalms 127:1

Psalm 127:1 is part of the Wisdom Literature in the Hebrew Bible, traditionally attributed to Solomon, who was known for his wisdom and wealth. This particular psalm is labeled as one of the "Songs of Ascents," which were likely used in pilgrimages to Jerusalem during the three major Jewish festivals. These psalms were sung as the worshippers ascended to the holy city, reflecting on their journey and their relationship with God.

The verse emphasizes the futility of human efforts if they are not aligned with or blessed by God. It uses two metaphors to convey this message: the building of a house and the guarding of a city. In the context of ancient Israel, building a house would represent significant personal endeavor and investment, while guarding a city would be a matter of communal safety and security. The psalmist asserts that regardless of the scale or importance of the undertaking, be it personal (house) or public (city), success and protection are ultimately dependent on God's involvement. Without divine favor and assistance, all human labor is in vain, and even the vigilance of watchmen cannot ensure safety.

Historically, this verse reflects the Israelite understanding of God's sovereignty over all aspects of life. It serves as a reminder that while human effort is important, it is God's guidance and blessing that bring about true success and security. This perspective would have been particularly resonant in times of uncertainty or when the community was facing threats, reinforcing the importance of faith and trust in God amidst the challenges of life.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H7892
   There are 87 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שִׁיר
   Transliteration: shîyr
   Pronunciation: sheer
   Description: or feminine שִׁירָה; from שִׁיר; a song; abstractly, singing; musical(-ick), [idiom] sing(-er, -ing), song.
   
2. Strong's Number: H4609
   There are 39 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מַעֲלָה
   Transliteration: maʻălâh
   Pronunciation: mah-al-aw'
   Description: feminine of מַעֲלֶה; elevation, i.e. the act (literally, a journey to a higher place, figuratively, a thought arising), or (concretely) the condition (literally, a step or grademark, figuratively, a superiority of station); specifically a climactic progression (in certain Psalms); things that come up, (high) degree, deal, go up, stair, step, story.
   
3. Strong's Number: H8010
   There are 263 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שְׁלֹמֹה
   Transliteration: Shᵉlômôh
   Pronunciation: shel-o-mo'
   Description: from שָׁלוֹם; peaceful; Shelomah, David's successor; Solomon.
   
4. Strong's Number: H3068
   There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְהֹוָה
   Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
   Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
   Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
   
5. Strong's Number: H1129
   There are 345 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בָּנָה
   Transliteration: bânâh
   Pronunciation: baw-naw'
   Description: a primitive root; to build (literally and figuratively); (begin to) build(-er), obtain children, make, repair, set (up), [idiom] surely.
   
6. Strong's Number: H1004
   There are 1718 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בַּיִת
   Transliteration: bayith
   Pronunciation: bah'-yith
   Description: probably from בָּנָה abbreviated; a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.); court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out).
   
7. Strong's Number: H5998
   There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָמַל
   Transliteration: ʻâmal
   Pronunciation: aw-mal'
   Description: a primitive root; to toil, i.e. work severely and with irksomeness; (take) labour (in).
   
8. Strong's Number: H7723
   There are 48 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁוְא
   Transliteration: shâvᵉʼ
   Pronunciation: shawv
   Description: or שַׁו; from the same as שׁוֹא in the sense of desolating; evil (as destructive), literally (ruin) or morally (especially guile); figuratively idolatry (as false, subjective), uselessness (as deceptive, objective; also adverbially, in vain); false(-ly), lie, lying, vain, vanity.
   
9. Strong's Number: H8104
   There are 440 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁמַר
   Transliteration: shâmar
   Pronunciation: shaw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.; beward, be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save (self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man).
   
10. Strong's Number: H5892
    There are 937 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עִיר
    Transliteration: ʻîyr
    Pronunciation: eer
    Description: or (in the plural) עָר; or עָיַר; (Judges 10:4), from עוּר; a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post); Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town.
    
11. Strong's Number: H8245
    There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שָׁקַד
    Transliteration: shâqad
    Pronunciation: shaw-kad'
    Description: a primitive root; to be alert, i.e. sleepless; hence to be on the lookout (whether for good or ill); hasten, remain, wake, watch (for).