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Psalm 127:1

“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.”

Psalm 127:1, King James Version (KJV)

“A Song of Ascents. By Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, they who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman guards it in vain.”

World English Bible (WEB)

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Psalm 127 (KJV)

A Song of degrees for Solomon.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 3Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
  4. 4As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.
  5. 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.

Related verses

Passages that readers often connect with Psalm 127:1, in the King James Version.

  • Proverbs 16:9

    A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.

  • 1 Corinthians 3:7

    So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

  • Proverbs 21:30–31

    There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD. …

  • 1 Corinthians 3:9–15

    For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. …

  • Psalm 33:16–18

    There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. …

  • Psalm 124:1

    If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, now may Israel say;

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1769 standardized text (eBible.org eng-kjv). Public domain outside the United Kingdom. Text courtesy of the Crosswire Bible Society and eBible.org. World English Bible Protestant Edition (eBible engwebp, 2026-09-15 snapshot). Public domain. World English Bible is a trademark of eBible.org. Text unmodified; footnotes and formatting omitted. Related verses: OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0), from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.