Psalms · 5 verses
Psalms 127
Every verse links to the people and places named in it, and to the passages readers connect it with.
The chapter
What happens here
Atlas's own reading, written from this chapter and nothing else, and published only once a person has approved it. Each scene names the verses it covers; the names inside it link to the people and places they name.
A full quiver becomes the psalm’s family portrait, and it is displayed at an enemy-filled gate.
Work, watch, and sleepvv. 1–2
The song begins with two respectable human occupations and removes their usefulness unless the LORD is in them: builders build, watchmen watch, and both may still be labouring in vain. Then comes the wonderfully unhurried gift—sleep—while early rising, late staying, and toil for bread are bundled together as vain effort.
Arrows at the gatevv. 3–5
The poem turns from buildings and watchmen to children, calling them heritage and reward, then promptly issuing them as military equipment. Children born in one’s youth are arrows in a warrior’s hand; a man with a full quiver is blessed, particularly when the enemies appear at the gate. The household blessing has acquired excellent aim and a rather alarming address.
The text
Read it
Berean Standard Bible, public domain. Names the Hebrew and Greek put in the verse link to the person, place or people they name; the address beside each verse is a link to that verse, which is what a reader copies and shares.
Ps 127:1A song of ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain; unless the LORD protects the city, its watchmen stand guard in vain.
Ps 127:2In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for bread to eat—for He gives sleep to His beloved.
Ps 127:3Children are indeed a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is His reward.
Ps 127:4Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are children born in one’s youth.
Ps 127:5Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. He will not be put to shame when he confronts the enemies at the gate.
02 — Read alongside
Where this is echoed
Readers' own connections, from OpenBible's crowd-voted cross-references — agreement about relevance, and not scholarly confidence. 69 passages were voted onto 5 verses of this chapter; the 16 shown lead on votes, and each is listed at the verse it was voted onto most strongly.
- 1Proverbs 16:9A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
- 11 Corinthians 3:7So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.
- 1Proverbs 21:30–31There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.
- 11 Corinthians 3:9–15For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.
- 1Psalms 33:16–18No king is saved by his vast army; no warrior is delivered by his great strength.
- 1Psalms 121:3–5He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber.
- 3Psalms 128:3–4Your wife will be like a fruitful vine flourishing within your house, your sons like olive shoots sitting around your table.
- 11 Chronicles 28:10Consider now that the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary. Be strong and do it.”
- 3Deuteronomy 28:4The fruit of your womb will be blessed, as well as the produce of your land and the offspring of your livestock—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks.
- 1Isaiah 62:6On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have posted watchmen; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD shall take no rest for yourselves,
- 11 Chronicles 28:20David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do it. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will neither fail you nor forsake you before all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished.
- 31 Samuel 1:27I prayed for this boy, and since the LORD has granted me what I asked of Him,
- 1Jeremiah 51:12Raise a banner against the walls of Babylon; post the guard; station the watchmen; prepare the ambush. For the LORD has both devised and accomplished what He spoke against the people of Babylon.
- 3Genesis 48:4and told me, ‘Behold, I will make you fruitful and multiply you; I will make you a multitude of peoples, and will give this land to your descendants after you as an everlasting possession.’
- 2Ecclesiastes 5:12The sleep of the worker is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of the rich man permits him no sleep.
- 3Isaiah 8:18Here am I, and the children the LORD has given me as signs and symbols in Israel from the LORD of Hosts, who dwells on Mount Zion.
Onward