The big picture
Psalms 127 opens in verse 1 with “Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 3 with “Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD : and the fruit of the womb is his reward.”, and closes in verse 5 with “Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they…” Repeated or prominent terms include LORD, vain, build, children, except. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Psalms · King James Version · 5Psalms 127:1-5
1–5: Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it…
Psalms 127:1–5 opens with “Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the…” and reaches “Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on the wording and movement of this passage, with particular weight carried by LORD, vain, build.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh…” Naming Except keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Psalms 127:1-5
King James Version1Except 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.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Psalms 127:1 begins with “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.”
Where the chapter turns
Psalms 127:3 forms a natural hinge: “Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD : and the fruit of the womb is his reward.”
The final note
Psalms 127:5 leaves the reader with “Happy 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.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words LORD, vain, build, children, except, arrows help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
KJV words made clear
- hath
- has
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.