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Psalm 127

Psa. 127:1 KJV (With Strong’s)

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1
<<A Song
shiyr (Hebrew #7892)
from 7891; a song; abstractly, singing
KJV usage: musical(-ick), X sing(-er, -ing), song.
Pronounce: sheer
Origin: or feminine shiyrah {shee-raw'}
of degrees
ma`alah (Hebrew #4609)
elevation, i.e. the act (literally, a journey to a higher place, figuratively, a thought arising), or (concretely) the condition (literally, a step or grade-mark, figuratively, a superiority of station); specifically a climactic progression (in certain Psalms)
KJV usage: things that come up, (high) degree, deal, go up, stair, step, story.
Pronounce: mah-al-aw'
Origin: feminine of 4608
ζfor Solomon
Shlomoh (Hebrew #8010)
peaceful; Shelomah, David's successor
KJV usage: Solomon.
Pronounce: shel-o-mo'
Origin: from 7965
.>> Exceptf the Lord
Yhovah (Hebrew #3068)
(the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
KJV usage: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.
Pronounce: yeh-ho-vaw'
Origin: from 1961
build
banah (Hebrew #1129)
to build (literally and figuratively)
KJV usage: (begin to) build(-er), obtain children, make, repair, set (up), X surely.
Pronounce: baw-naw'
Origin: a primitive root
the house
bayith (Hebrew #1004)
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
KJV usage: court, daughter, door, + dungeon, family, + forth of, X great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter)house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, + prison, + steward, + tablet, temple, web, + within(-out).
Pronounce: bah'-yith
Origin: probably from 1129 abbreviated
, they labor
`amal (Hebrew #5998)
to toil, i.e. work severely and with irksomeness
KJV usage: (take) labour (in).
Pronounce: aw-mal'
Origin: a primitive root
in vain
shav' (Hebrew #7723)
from the same as 7722 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)
KJV usage: false(-ly), lie, lying, vain, vanity.
Pronounce: shawv
Origin: or shav {shav}
θthat build
banah (Hebrew #1129)
to build (literally and figuratively)
KJV usage: (begin to) build(-er), obtain children, make, repair, set (up), X surely.
Pronounce: baw-naw'
Origin: a primitive root
it: except the Lord
Yhovah (Hebrew #3068)
(the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
KJV usage: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.
Pronounce: yeh-ho-vaw'
Origin: from 1961
keep
shamar (Hebrew #8104)
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.
KJV usage: 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).
Pronounce: shaw-mar'
Origin: a primitive root
the city
`iyr (Hebrew #5892)
or ayar (Judges 10:4) {aw-yar'}; from 5782 a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
KJV usage: Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town.
Pronounce: eer
Origin: or (in the plural) par {awr}
, the watchman
shamar (Hebrew #8104)
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.
KJV usage: 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).
Pronounce: shaw-mar'
Origin: a primitive root
waketh
shaqad (Hebrew #8245)
to be alert, i.e. sleepless; hence to be on the lookout (whether for good or ill)
KJV usage: hasten, remain, wake, watch (for).
Pronounce: shaw-kad'
Origin: a primitive root
but in vain
shav' (Hebrew #7723)
from the same as 7722 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)
KJV usage: false(-ly), lie, lying, vain, vanity.
Pronounce: shawv
Origin: or shav {shav}
.
ζ
or, of,
Psa. 72•  (Psa. 72)
, title.
f
1 Cor. 3:6‑7• 6*I* have planted; Apollos watered; but God has given the increase.
 7So that neither the planter is anything, nor the waterer; but God the giver of the increase. (1 Cor. 3:6‑7)
θ
that are builders of it in it.

More on:

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House,
Solomon,
Songs of Degrees

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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1-2:  The virtue of God's blessing.
3-5:  Good children are his gift.
(Title.)
A Song.
Psa. 120:1• 1A Song of degrees. In my trouble I called unto Jehovah, and he answered me. (Psa. 120:1)
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Psa. 121:1• 1A Song of degrees. I lift up mine eyes unto the mountains: whence shall my help come? (Psa. 121:1)
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Psa. 122:1• 1A Song of degrees. Of David. I rejoiced when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of Jehovah. (Psa. 122:1)
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Psa. 123:1• 1A Song of degrees. Unto thee do I lift up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens. (Psa. 123:1)
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Psa. 124:1• 1A Song of degrees. Of David. If it had not been Jehovah who was for us--oh let Israel say-- (Psa. 124:1)
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Psa. 125:1• 1A Song of degrees. They that confide in Jehovah are as mount Zion, which cannot be moved; it abideth for ever. (Psa. 125:1)
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Psa. 126:1• 1A Song of degrees. When Jehovah turned the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. (Psa. 126:1)
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Psa. 126•  (Psa. 126)
:*titles
for Solomon.
or, of Solomon.
Psa. 72:1• 1For Solomon. O God, give the king thy judgments, and thy righteousness unto the king's son. (Psa. 72:1)
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Psa. 72•  (Psa. 72)
:*title
The Lord.
Psa. 33:16‑18• 16The king is not saved by the multitude of his forces; a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.
 17The horse is a vain thing for safety; neither doth he deliver by his great power.
 18Behold, the eye of Jehovah is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his loving-kindness, (Psa. 33:16‑18)
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Prov. 16:9• 9The heart of man deviseth his way, but Jehovah directeth his steps. (Prov. 16:9)
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Prov. 21:30‑31• 30There is no wisdom, nor understanding, nor counsel against Jehovah.
 31The horse is prepared for the day of battle; but safety is of Jehovah. (Prov. 21:30‑31)
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Eccl. 9:11• 11I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to the intelligent, nor yet favour to men of knowledge; but time and chance happeneth to them all. (Eccl. 9:11)
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1 Cor. 3:7• 7So that neither the planter is anything, nor the waterer; but God the giver of the increase. (1 Cor. 3:7)
build.
1 Chron. 22:10‑11• 10He shall build a house unto my name; and he shall be my son, and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever.
 11Now, my son, Jehovah be with thee, that thou mayest prosper, and build the house of Jehovah thy God, as he has said of thee. (1 Chron. 22:10‑11)
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1 Chron. 28:10,20• 10Consider now, that Jehovah has chosen thee to build a house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it.
 20And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and courageous, and do it; fear not nor be dismayed: for Jehovah Elohim, my God, will be with thee; he will not leave thee, neither forsake thee, until all the work for the service of the house of Jehovah is finished. (1 Chron. 28:10,20)
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1 Chron. 29:19• 19And give to Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep thy commandments, thy testimonies, and thy statutes, and to do all, and to build the palace, for which I have made provision. (1 Chron. 29:19)
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1 Cor. 3:9‑15• 9For we are God's fellow-workmen; ye are God's husbandry, God's building.
 10According to the grace of God which has been given to me, as a wise architect, I have laid the foundation, but another builds upon it. But let each see how he builds upon it.
 11For other foundation can no man lay besides that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
 12Now if any one build upon this foundation, gold, silver, precious stones, wood, grass, straw,
 13the work of each shall be made manifest; for the day shall declare it, because it is revealed in fire; and the fire shall try the work of each what it is.
 14If the work of any one which he has built upon the foundation shall abide, he shall receive a reward.
 15If the work of any one shall be consumed, he shall suffer loss, but *he* shall be saved, but so as through the fire. (1 Cor. 3:9‑15)
they labour.
1 Cor. 15:14• 14but if Christ is not raised, then, indeed, vain also is our preaching, and vain also your faith. (1 Cor. 15:14)
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Gal. 4:11• 11I am afraid of you, lest indeed I have laboured in vain as to you. (Gal. 4:11)
that build it.
Heb. that are builders of it in it.
except.
Psa. 121:3‑5• 3He will not suffer thy foot to be moved; he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
 4Behold, he that keepeth Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
 5Jehovah is thy keeper, Jehovah is thy shade upon thy right hand; (Psa. 121:3‑5)
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Isa. 27:3• 3I Jehovah keep it, I will water it every moment; lest any harm it, I will keep it night and day. (Isa. 27:3)
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Zech. 2:4‑5• 4and said unto him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein;
 5and I, saith Jehovah, I will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her. (Zech. 2:4‑5)
the watchman.
Song of Sol. 3:3• 3The watchmen that go about the city found me:--Have ye seen him whom my soul loveth? (Song of Sol. 3:3)
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Song of Sol. 5:7• 7The watchmen that went about the city found me; They smote me, they wounded me; The keepers of the walls took away my veil from me. (Song of Sol. 5:7)
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Isa. 21:5‑12• 5Prepare the table, appoint the watch; eat, drink: arise, ye princes, anoint the shield.
 6For thus hath the Lord said unto me: Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he seeth.
 7And he saw chariots, horsemen by pairs, a chariot with asses, a chariot with camels; and he hearkened diligently with much heed.
 8And he cried as a lion, Lord, I stand continually upon the watchtower in the daytime, and I am set in my ward whole nights.
 9--And behold, there cometh a chariot of men; horsemen by pairs. And he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods he hath broken unto the ground.
 10O my threshing, and the corn of my floor! What I have heard of Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel, have I declared unto you.
 11The burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?
 12The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will inquire, inquire; return, come. (Isa. 21:5‑12)
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Isa. 56:10• 10His watchmen are all of them blind, they are without knowledge; they are all dumb dogs that cannot bark, dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber: (Isa. 56:10)
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Isa. 62:6• 6I have set watchmen upon thy walls, Jerusalem; all the day and all the night they shall never hold their peace: ye that put Jehovah in remembrance, keep not silence, (Isa. 62:6)
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Jer. 51:12,31• 12Lift up a banner towards the walls of Babylon, make the watch strong, set the watchmen, prepare the ambushes; for Jehovah hath both devised and done that which he spoke against the inhabitants of Babylon.
 31Courier runneth to meet courier, and messenger to meet messenger, to announce to the king of Babylon that his city is taken from end to end; (Jer. 51:12,31)
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Ezek. 33:2‑9• 2Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, and the people of the land take one man from among them all, and set him for their watchman:
 3if he see the sword coming upon the land, and blow the trumpet, and warn the people;
 4then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning, if the sword come and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head.
 5He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood is upon him: whereas had he taken warning, he would have delivered his soul.
 6But if the watchman see the sword coming, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned, if the sword come and take a person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand.
 7So thou, son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; and thou shalt hear the word from my mouth, and warn them from me.
 8When I say unto the wicked, Wicked man, thou shalt certainly die; and thou speakest not to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thy hand.
 9But if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it, and he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. (Ezek. 33:2‑9)
• Psalms 127 and 128 refer to the time when all the tribes of Israel are dwelling safely in their land under the protection of the Lord (Ezk. 38:11). Their exercise at this time is to rebuild the city of Zion (Isa. 61:4, Jer. 30:18, Jer. 31:38-40, Am. 9:14) that was desolated by the King of the North earlier (Ps. 73:18-20, Ps. 74:1-8, Ps. 75:3, Ps 79:1-3, 7, Ps. 80:12-16), They acknowledge they need the Lord to keep the city, showing that enemies are still existent (vs. 1-2). (“Book 5.” by B. Anstey)
• This psalm tells us that God alone gives the increase. All labor, all toil is vain; except the Lord Himself and His hand be in it to work and bless; as the people said of Jonathan, he hath wrought with God this day. (“Practical Reflections on the Psalms: Psalms 120-131” by J.N. Darby)
• Now they look on to the “house” and “the city,” the goal to which they are journeying, and they own, “Except the LORD build the house, they labor in vain that build it”; and “except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.” (“Psalms 127” by H. Smith)

J. N. Darby Translation

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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: