Psalm 127:1
Old Testament • 14 words with Strong's data
"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."
Word-by-Word Analysis
לֹא
lôʼ
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יְהֹוָה
Yᵉhôvâh
Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
בָּנָה
bânâh
to build (literally and figuratively)
בַּיִת
bayith
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
עָמָל
ʻâmâl
toil, i.e. wearing effort; hence, worry, wheth. of body or mind
שָׁוְא
shâvᵉʼ
evil (as destructive), literally (ruin) or morally (especially guile); figuratively idolatry (as false, subjective), uselessness (as deceptive, object...
בָּנָה
bânâh
to build (literally and figuratively)
לֹא
lôʼ
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יְהֹוָה
Yᵉhôvâh
Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
שָׁמַר
shâmar
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.
עִיר
ʻîyr
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
צָפָה
tsâphâh
properly, to lean forward, i.e. to peer into the distance; by implication, to observe, await
שָׁקַד
shâqad
to be alert, i.e. sleepless; hence to be on the lookout (whether for good or ill)
שָׁוְא
shâvᵉʼ
evil (as destructive), literally (ruin) or morally (especially guile); figuratively idolatry (as false, subjective), uselessness (as deceptive, object...
Key Terms in This Verse
שָׁקַד shâqad
to be alert, i.e. sleepless; hence to be on the lookout (whether for good or ill)
Study H8245 →צָפָה tsâphâh
properly, to lean forward, i.e. to peer into the distance; by implication, to observe, await
Study H6822 →לֹא lôʼ
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Study H3808 →לֹא lôʼ
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Study H3808 →עָמָל ʻâmâl
toil, i.e. wearing effort; hence, worry, wheth. of body or mind
Study H5999 →שָׁוְא shâvᵉʼ
evil (as destructive), literally (ruin) or morally (especially guile); figuratively idolatry (as false, subjective), uselessness (as deceptive, objective; also adverbially, in vain)
Study H7723 →שָׁוְא shâvᵉʼ
evil (as destructive), literally (ruin) or morally (especially guile); figuratively idolatry (as false, subjective), uselessness (as deceptive, objective; also adverbially, in vain)
Study H7723 →שָׁמַר shâmar
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.
Study H8104 →Cross References
A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.
So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, now may Israel say;
Take heed now; for the LORD hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it.
I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence,
And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until...
Set up the standard upon the walls of Babylon, make the watch strong, set up the watchmen, prepare the ambushes: for the LORD hath both devised and done that which he spake against the inhabitants of ...
And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens.
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me.
I 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 men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skil...
They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.
And he built his sanctuary like high palaces, like the earth which he hath established for ever.
When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.
His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.
I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.
I the LORD do keep it; I will water it every moment: lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day.
I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.
And give unto Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep thy commandments, thy testimonies, and thy statutes, and to do all these things, and to build the palace, for the which I have made provision.
The watchmen that go about the city found me: to whom I said, Saw ye him whom my soul loveth?
One post shall run to meet another, and one messenger to meet another, to shew the king of Babylon that his city is taken at one end,
The 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.
Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king’s son.
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