The Meaning of Psalms 127:1 Explained

Psalms 127:1

KJV: {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.

YLT: 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.

Darby: {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:

ASV: Except Jehovah build the house, They labor in vain that build it: Except Jehovah keep the city, The watchman waketh but in vain.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

{{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. 

What does Psalms 127:1 Mean?

Study Notes

A Song of degrees for Solomon
See title note; .
A Song of degrees
Literally, "of ascents." Perhaps chanted by the people as they went up to Jerusalem to the feasts. See, e.g. Psalms 112:1 ; Psalms 112:2 .

Context Summary

Psalms 127:1-5 - "the Lord Hath Done Great Things For Us"
The circumstances under which this psalm was written are evident upon its face. The exiles, lately back from Babylon, are rejoicing in the gladness of their return. But their joy was not complete so long as the larger portion of their nation were still in bondage. The metaphor of streams in the South is derived from the rapidity with which dry water-courses become flushed with torrent streams. The returned exiles longed to see the vacant solitudes of their land suddenly filled with returning crowds. They asked that their tears might be the seeds of mighty harvests. Let not the Christian worker count as lost the seeds he sows or the tears in which he steeps them. That doubtless is God's guarantee.
Psalms 127:1-5
This psalm was probably suggested by Ezra's efforts to rebuild the Temple. We cannot succeed apart from God, but must be His fellow-workers. See Proverbs 10:22. The bread of trouble is that which is hardly obtained, where labor is severe, and the results slow. Beware of needless anxiety. As builders, Psalms 127:1, look to God for plan, materials, and co-operation. As watchers, Psalms 127:1, commit all keeping to God's watch and ward. As toilers, Psalms 127:2, have a little more quiet rest and ease of mind. As parents, Psalms 127:3-5, do not shrink from parental responsibilities; when you are old, your children will answer for you. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 127

1  The virtue of God's blessing
3  Good children are his gift

What do the individual words in Psalms 127:1 mean?

A Song of Ascents of Solomon Unless Yahweh not builds the house in vain they labor who build it Yahweh not guards the city stays awake the watchman
שִׁ֥יר הַֽמַּֽעֲל֗וֹת לִשְׁלֹ֫מֹ֥ה אִם־ יְהוָ֤ה ׀ לֹא־ יִבְנֶ֬ה בַ֗יִת שָׁ֤וְא ׀ עָמְל֣וּ בוֹנָ֣יו בּ֑וֹ יְהוָ֥ה לֹֽא־ יִשְׁמָר־ עִ֝֗יר שָׁקַ֬ד שׁוֹמֵֽר

שִׁ֥יר  A  Song 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: שִׁיר 
Sense: song.
הַֽמַּֽעֲל֗וֹת  of  Ascents 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine plural
Root: מַעֲלָה 
Sense: what comes up, thoughts.
לִשְׁלֹ֫מֹ֥ה  of  Solomon 
Parse: Preposition-l, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: שְׁלֹמֹה  
Sense: son of David by Bathsheba and 3rd king of Israel; author of Proverbs and Song of Songs.
אִם־  Unless 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: אִם  
Sense: if.
יְהוָ֤ה ׀  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
יִבְנֶ֬ה  builds 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: בָּנָה  
Sense: to build, rebuild, establish, cause to continue.
בַ֗יִת  the  house 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: בַּיִת 
Sense: house.
שָׁ֤וְא ׀  in  vain 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: שָׁוְא  
Sense: emptiness, vanity, falsehood.
עָמְל֣וּ  they  labor 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person common plural
Root: עָמַל  
Sense: to labour, toil.
בוֹנָ֣יו  who  build 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine plural construct, third person masculine singular
Root: בָּנָה  
Sense: to build, rebuild, establish, cause to continue.
יְהוָ֥ה  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
יִשְׁמָר־  guards 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: שָׁמַר  
Sense: to keep, guard, observe, give heed.
עִ֝֗יר  the  city 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: עִיר 
Sense: excitement, anguish.
שָׁקַ֬ד  stays  awake 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: שָׁקַד 
Sense: to wake, watch, awake, be alert.
שׁוֹמֵֽר  the  watchman 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: שָׁמַר  
Sense: to keep, guard, observe, give heed.