Psalms — Chapter 127

Loading ESV text...

1Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

2It 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.

3Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

4As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.

5Happy 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.

1Except Jehovah build the house, They labor in vain that build it: Except Jehovah keep the city, The watchman waketh but in vain.

2It is vain for you to rise up early, To take rest late, To eat the bread of toil; [For] so he giveth unto his beloved sleep.

3Lo, children are a heritage of Jehovah; [And] the fruit of the womb is [his] reward.

4As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, So are the children of youth.

5Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: They shall not be put to shame, When they speak with their enemies in the gate. Psalm 128 A Song of Ascents.

1A song of ascents; by Solomon. If the Lord does not build a house, then those who build it work in vain. If the Lord does not guard a city, then the watchman stands guard in vain.

2It is vain for you to rise early, come home late, and work so hard for your food. Yes, he provides for those whom he loves even when they sleep.

3Yes, sons are a gift from the Lord; the fruit of the womb is a reward.

4Sons born during one’s youth are like arrows in a warrior’s hand.

5How blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them. They will not be put to shame when they confront enemies at the city gate.

1Unless Yahweh builds the house, they labor in vain who build it. Unless Yahweh 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 Yahweh. The fruit of the womb is his reward.

4As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are the children of youth.

5Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them. They won’t be disappointed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Videos
Reflection

Summary

A Song of Ascents of Solomon — a wisdom psalm: 'Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain'; God gives sleep to His beloved; children are a heritage from the LORD, arrows in a warrior's hand.

Authorship & Background

Author: Multiple authors — primarily David (73 psalms attributed), plus Asaph (12), Sons of Korah (11), Solomon (2), Moses (1), Heman (1), Ethan (1), and anonymous. The Psalter was compiled over approximately 1000 years and served as Israel's hymnal and prayer book. The book is divided into five 'books' (1-41, 42-72, 73-89, 90-106, 107-150), paralleling the five books of Moses. Key themes: worship, lament, praise, trust, kingship, creation, wisdom, Messianic prophecy, and the full range of human emotion brought before God.
Classification: Song of Ascents / Wisdom Psalm Attributed Author: Solomon (superscription: "A Song of degrees for Solomon") Key Themes: The futility of human effort without God, trust vs. anxiety, children as God's blessing, the family as divine gift, rest in God's sovereignty
Historical Context: Psalm 127 is one of only two psalms attributed to Solomon in the Songs of Ascents (the other being possibly 72, which is in Book II). As the builder of the temple, Solomon is uniquely qualified to declare that building without God is useless. The irony is powerful: the greatest builder in Israel's history says, "Unless the LORD builds the house, you labor in vain." The psalm has two halves: vv.1-2 address anxious self-reliance in work/security; vv.3-5 address the blessing of children. Both halves make the same point: what matters most comes from God, not from human striving. This psalm directly challenges the workaholic, the anxious, and the self-made person.
Structure:
  • Without God, Labor is Vain (v.1)
  • Anxious Toil vs. God's Gift of Rest (v.2)
  • Children as God's Heritage (vv.3-5)

Map & Geography

  • No specific geographic locations are referenced in this chapter.

Videos

The Bible Project — Psalms Overview

Reflection

  • 1. God must build it (v.1). Whatever you're building — career, ministry, family, business — unless God is building it with you, it's empty. Acknowledge dependence BEFORE effort.
  • 2. Stop eating the bread of sorrows (v.2). Anxious overwork is not virtue — it's unbelief. God gives His beloved sleep. Can you rest? Can you stop? Trust is demonstrated by what you're willing to leave undone.
  • 3. Children are heritage, not hassle (v.3). In a culture that often views children as inconvenience, Scripture calls them GOD'S REWARD. Reframe your view: children are divine gift.
  • 4. Sleep is a spiritual discipline (v.2). Going to bed is an act of faith — trusting that God works while you rest. The inability to sleep often reveals the inability to trust.