Solomon
Psalm 127
A Song of degrees for Solomon.
Scripture (KJV)
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.
Summary
Psalm 127 is attributed to Solomon and is one of the Songs of Ascents. It opens with a sobering principle: every human effort—building a house, guarding a city, rising early and sitting late—is vain unless the Lord is its source and keeper. The psalm is not a rebuke of diligence but a redirection of it. Work done apart from God is empty; work done in dependence on Him is accompanied by the gift of rest, for "so he giveth his beloved sleep." The anxious toil that eats the bread of sorrows is contrasted with the trusting rest of those who know the Lord builds and keeps.
The second half turns to children, describing them as the Lord’s heritage and reward, as arrows in the hand of a warrior, and as the full quiver that gives a father confidence in the city gate. The major themes are divine sovereignty, human labor, rest, family, and legacy. Practically, the psalm invites every builder—of a home, a business, a ministry, a city—to acknowledge that fruitfulness comes from the Lord and to rest rather than strive. The great lesson is that the Lord’s work is the only work that lasts.
Key Themes
A Prayer from Psalm 127
O Lord, unless You build the house, we labor in vain; unless You keep the city, our watching is nothing. Forgive us for rising early and sitting late to eat the bread of sorrows, as if everything depended on us. Teach us to build with You and to rest in You, for You give Your beloved sleep. Thank You for the heritage of children, the reward of the womb, the arrows in our hands. Fill our quivers with the next generation, that we may not be ashamed but may stand with confidence in the gate. Make our homes and our cities testimonies to Your building and Your keeping. Let every labor of our hands be joined to dependence on You, that it may not be in vain. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Reflection Questions
- 1What am I currently building that I need to surrender to the Lord as the true builder?
- 2Where am I eating "the bread of sorrows" instead of receiving God’s gift of sleep?
- 3How do I view children—as a heritage and reward, or as a burden?
- 4What would change in my daily work if I truly believed the Lord keeps the city?
Related Psalms
Psalm 121
“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.”
Psalm 121 is one of the "Songs of Ascents" sung by pilgrims journeying up to Jerusalem.
Read morePsalm 128
“Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways.”
Psalm 128 continues the Songs of Ascents and builds on the themes of Psalm 127.
Read morePsalm 37
“Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.”
Trust, delight, and wait; the meek inherit the land.
Read morePsalm 112
“Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.”
Psalm 112 is an acrostic wisdom psalm that mirrors Psalm 111 in form and theme, tracing the blessings of the person who fears the Lord and delights greatly in His commandments.
Read morePsalm 144
“Blessed be the Lord my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:”
Psalm 144 is a royal psalm of David that blends military thanksgiving, cosmic theophany, and a vision of national flourishing.
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