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Psalm 127:1

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.

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.
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Psalm 127:2 →
Notice

The repeated words “in vain” challenge the hope that enough work or watchfulness can secure a house or city apart from YHWH.

Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.

Where do you recognize yourself in the builder’s labor or the watchman’s vigilance?

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How does the repeated phrase “in vain” challenge what you expect your effort to guarantee?

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Connect

Where else Scripture says this

12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.

This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Proverbs 16:9A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD directs his steps.Both describe human action that depends on the LORD: people plan and build, while he directs steps and builds the house.
1 Corinthians 3:7So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.Builders and growers do their work, yet both passages locate the decisive work in God rather than in human labor.
Proverbs 21:30–31There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.Both place human effort under the LORD’s supremacy: builders depend on him, and counsel cannot stand against him.
1 Corinthians 3:9–15For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s farming, God’s building.Both connect building with God’s work, though Paul describes people as God’s building and names human workers.
Psalm 33:16–18There is no king saved by the multitude of an army. A mighty man is not delivered by great strength.Both expose the limits of human protection: a watchman’s vigilance and an army’s size cannot by themselves secure safety.
Psalm 121:3–5He will not allow your foot to be moved. He who keeps you will not slumber.Both speak of divine keeping: the LORD watches over the city, and the keeper in Psalm 121 does not slumber.
Psalm 124:1A Song of Ascents. By David. If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, let Israel now say,Both Songs of Ascents frame dependence through a condition: unless the LORD acts, or if he had not been on Israel’s side.
1 Chronicles 28:10Take heed now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary. Be strong, and do it.”Both connect building a house with the LORD, while Chronicles names a chosen builder and identifies the house as a sanctuary.
Isaiah 62:6I have set watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem. They will never be silent day nor night. You who call on the LORD, take no rest,Both include watchmen guarding a city and reference the LORD, while Isaiah also addresses those who call on him.
1 Chronicles 28:20David said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do it. Don’t be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD God, even my God, is with you. He will not …Both connect the building of a house with the LORD’s involvement; David assures Solomon of God’s presence until the work is finished.
Jeremiah 51:12Set up a standard against the walls of Babylon! Make the watch strong! Set the watchmen, and prepare the ambushes; for the LORD has both purposed and done that …Both passages mention watchmen and the LORD’s action, though Jeremiah speaks of his purpose concerning Babylon.
1 Corinthians 15:14If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith also is in vain.Both use “in vain” to expose a decisive dependence: building on the LORD’s work, and preaching on Christ’s resurrection.
Where this verse fits

Burnout. leadership weight. fear for the future.

What the Bible says about fear →
One step

Something small to carry out of this verse

Write down one task and what it cannot guarantee

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Encouragement

The builders still build, and the watchman still guards. Their work depends on YHWH; neither effort nor vigilance can take his place.

Now put it in your words.

Start an entry on Psalm 127:1. Write what it stirs. Psalmlog sets your words beside Scripture and gives you one next step. Your first entry is free, no account needed.

Keep goingPsalm 127 · the whole chapter with its connection mapPsalms · every chapterBuild a reading plan through Psalms

Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).