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Psalms 127:1 — King James Version← Study notes

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 127:1Hebrew Interlinear

Hebrew · Psalms 127:120 words
HebrewMeaning
שִׁ֥ירšiyr
the song ofnounH7892
sing(-er · -ing) · song
הַֽ/מַּֽעֲל֗וֹתhamaʿălwōt
the ascentsparticleH4609
degree · deal · go up · stair ···
לִ/שְׁלֹ֫מֹ֥הlišəlōmōh
of SolomonpronH8010
אִםʾim
ifconjH518
can- · doubtless · if · that) ···
יְהוָ֤הyəhwāh
YahwehnounH3068
the Lord. Compare
לֹאlōʾ
notparticleH3808
before · or else · except · ig ···
יִבְנֶ֬הyibəneh
he will buildverbH1129
obtain children · make · repair · set ···
בַ֗יִתbayit
a housenounH1004
daughter · door · dungeon · family ···
שָׁ֤וְאšāwəʾ
vanitynounH7723
lie · lying · vain · vanity
עָמְל֣וּʿāməlw
they have toiledverbH5998
בוֹנָ֣י/וbwōnāyw
builders itsverbH1129
obtain children · make · repair · set ···
בּ֑/וֹbwō
pron
אִםʾim
ifconjH518
can- · doubtless · if · that) ···
יְהוָ֥הyəhwāh
YahwehnounH3068
the Lord. Compare
לֹֽאlōʾ
notparticleH3808
before · or else · except · ig ···
יִשְׁמָרyišəmār
he will watch oververbH8104
be circumspect · take heed · keep(-er · self) ···
עִ֝֗ירʿiyr
a citynounH5892
city · court · town
שָׁ֤וְאšāwəʾ
vanitynounH7723
lie · lying · vain · vanity
שָׁקַ֬דšāqad
he has kept awakeverbH8245
remain · wake · watch
שׁוֹמֵֽרšwōmēr
the watchmanverbH8104
be circumspect · take heed · keep(-er · self) ···
Words are listed top to bottom following the original right-to-left reading order. אֵת (ʾēṯ) is a direct object marker with no English equivalent, shown faded.

Church Fathers on Psalms 127:1

1. Among all the Songs entitled the Song of degrees, this Psalm has a further addition in the title, that it is “Solomon's.” For thus it is entitled, “A Song of degrees of Solomon.” It has therefore aroused our attention, and caused us to enquire the reason of this addition, “of Solomon.” For it is needless to repeat explanations of the other words, Song of degrees....Solomon was in his time David's son, a great man, through whom many holy precepts and healthful admonitions…

Augustine · 4th century · Exposition on Psalm 127 (excerpt)
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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