Anakalypsis / Unveiling the Word
← →
⚙ Annotations & References ▾
Themes 4 ▾
Sovereignty of God 1 Providence 1 Wisdom 1 Marriage and Family 3
Speakers 1 ▾
Solomon human 1-5
Historic voices 6 ▾
Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews 1× 1 City of God 1× 1 Heidelberg Catechism 1× 1-2 John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible 1× 1-5 Keil and Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament 1× 1, 3 Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary 1× 1
Manuscript witnesses 5 ▾
Codex Sinaiticus Aleph c. AD 330-360 Codex Vaticanus B c. AD 300-325 Codex Alexandrinus A c. AD 400-440 Aleppo Codex (Crown of Aleppo) c. AD 930 Leningrad Codex (Codex Leningradensis) AD 1008
Cross-references 67 ▾
v1
v2
v3
v4
v5
What is Psalms 127 about?

Attributed to Solomon, this Song of Ascents grounds every labor in the LORD, for unless He builds the house the builders toil in vain and unless He keeps the city the watchman wakes in vain. Anxious toil from early to late is useless, since God gives to His beloved even in their sleep, and children are His heritage and reward, like arrows in the hand of a mighty man. Home, city, and family all rest on His provision rather than human striving. The city and house the LORD Himself builds look ahead to the household of faith He raises up.

Historical backdrop

These are the songbook of a nation, sung across a thousand years of Israel's worship, from Moses in the wilderness to the exiles returned from Babylon. They were carried from the tabernacle to Solomon's temple to the second temple rebuilt under Persia, set to the lyre and the harp and the clash of cymbals in the courts of the LORD.

Matthew Henry on Psalms 127
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 127
The Church Fathers on Psalms 127
Cited by the confessions

Psalms 127

Psalms Chapter 127
127
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; Forso he giveth unto his beloved sleep.
3Lo, children are a heritage of Jehovah; Andthe fruit of the womb ishisreward.
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.
← Chapter 126 Chapter 128 →
What is Psalms 127 about?

Attributed to Solomon, this Song of Ascents grounds every labor in the LORD, for unless He builds the house the builders toil in vain and unless He keeps the city the watchman wakes in vain. Anxious toil from early to late is useless, since God gives to His beloved even in their sleep, and children are His heritage and reward, like arrows in the hand of a mighty man. Home, city, and family all rest on His provision rather than human striving. The city and house the LORD Himself builds look ahead to the household of faith He raises up.