Psalms 127:1

Context

Psalm 127¹

A song of ascents,² by Solomon.

127:1 If the Lord does not build a house,³

then those who build it work in vain.

If the Lord does not guard a city,⁴

then the watchman stands guard in vain.

Isaiah 49:4

Context

49:4 But I thought,⁵ “I have worked in vain;

I have expended my energy for absolutely nothing.”⁶

But the Lord will vindicate me;

my God will reward me.⁷

Habakkuk 2:13

Context

2:13 Be sure of this! The Lord who commands armies has decreed:

The nations’ efforts will go up in smoke;

their exhausting work will be for nothing.⁸

Galatians 4:11

Context
4:11 I fear for you that my work for you may have been in vain.

[127:1] ¹sn Psalm 127. In this wisdom psalm the psalmist teaches that one does not find security by one’s own efforts, for God alone gives stability and security.

[127:1] ²sn The precise significance of this title, which appears in Pss 120-134, is unclear. Perhaps worshipers recited these psalms when they ascended the road to Jerusalem to celebrate annual religious festivals. For a discussion of their background see L. C. Allen, Psalms 101-150 (WBC), 219-21.

[127:1] ³sn The expression build a house may have a double meaning here. It may refer on the surface level to a literal physical structure in which a family lives, but at a deeper, metaphorical level it refers to building, perpetuating, and maintaining a family line. See Deut 25:9; Ruth 4:11; 1 Sam 2:35; 2 Sam 7:27; 1 Kgs 11:38; 1 Chr 17:10, 25. Having a family line provided security in ancient Israel.

[127:1] ⁴sn The city symbolizes community security, which is the necessary framework for family security.

[49:4] ⁵tn Or “said” (KJV, NASB, NIV, NRSV); NLT “I replied.”

[49:4] ⁶tn Heb “for nothing and emptiness.” Synonyms are combined to emphasize the common idea.

[49:4] ⁷tn Heb “But my justice is with the Lord, and my reward [or “wage”] with my God.”

[2:13] ⁸tn Heb “Is it not, look, from the Lord of hosts that the nations work hard for fire, and the peoples are exhausted for nothing?”