Christianity

Psalms 127Except the LORD Build the House

Summary

Psalm 127, a Song of Ascents attributed in its heading to Solomon, teaches that human effort is vain without God. Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain, and unless he keeps the city, the watchman wakes in vain; rising early and sitting up late is useless, for he gives his beloved sleep. The second half celebrates children as a heritage from the LORD, like arrows in a mighty man's hand, and calls the man with a full quiver happy.

Key verse

“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.”

Psalms 127:1

Themes

Dependence on God
Vain Labor
Rest as Gift
Children as Heritage

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.

It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.

Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

Text: King James Version (1611/1769), public domain.

Across traditions

Christianity
Matthew 6: Take No Thought for Tomorrow
Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6:25 to 34 not to be anxious about food or clothing, since the Father knows our needs, shares Psalm 127's warning against anxious overwork.
Christianity
Ecclesiastes 2: The Vanity of Great Works
Ecclesiastes 2, also linked by tradition with Solomon, reflects on the emptiness of great building projects and toil under the sun, a problem Psalm 127 answers by placing all labor in God's hands.

Questions about Psalms 127

Why is Psalm 127 attributed to Solomon?

Its heading reads A Song of degrees for Solomon, which can mean by or for Solomon. The theme of building the house fits the builder of the temple, and some connect he giveth his beloved sleep with Solomon's other name, Jedidiah, beloved of the LORD (2 Samuel 12:25).

Is Nisi Dominus Frustra a motto from Psalm 127?

Yes. Nisi Dominus Frustra, Latin for unless the Lord, in vain, condenses Psalm 127:1 and is the motto of the city of Edinburgh.