Psalms 127:1

A song of ascents, ²  by Solomon. If the Lord does not build a house, ³  then those who build it work in vain. If the Lord does not guard a city, ⁴  then the watchman stands guard in vain.

1Ch 22:10,11; 1Ch 28:10,20; 1Ch 29:19; Ps 33:16-18; Ps 72:1; Ps 120:1; Ps 121:1; Ps 121:3-5; Ps 122:1; Ps 123:1; Ps 124:1; Ps 125:1; Ps 126:1; Pr 16:9; Pr 21:30,31; Ec 9:11; So 3:3; So 5:7; Isa 21:5-12; Isa 27:3; Isa 56:10; Isa 62:6; Jer 51:12,31; Eze 33:2-9; Zec 2:4,5; 1Co 3:7; 1Co 3:9-15; 1Co 15:14; Ga 4:11

¹ sn Psalm 127. In this wisdom psalm the psalmist teaches that one does not find security by one’s own efforts, for God alone gives stability and security.

² sn The precise significance of this title, which appears in Pss 120-134, is unclear. Perhaps worshipers recited these psalms when they ascended the road to Jerusalem to celebrate annual religious festivals. For a discussion of their background see L. C. Allen, Psalms 101-150 (WBC), 219-21.

³ sn The expression build a house may have a double meaning here. It may refer on the surface level to a literal physical structure in which a family lives, but at a deeper, metaphorical level it refers to building, perpetuating, and maintaining a family line. See Deut 25:9; Ruth 4:11; 1 Sam 2:35; 2 Sam 7:27; 1 Kgs 11:38; 1 Chr 17:10, 25. Having a family line provided security in ancient Israel.

⁴ sn The city symbolizes community security, which is the necessary framework for family security.