Study it in the app“A song of the ascents. Of Solomon. If YHWH does not build a house, in vain its builders toil on it; if YHWH does not keep a city, in vain the keeper stays awake.”
Unless YHWH builds the house, its builders labor in vainProvidenceUnless YHWH builds the house, its builders labor in vainWork and Rest
A songשִׁירof the ascents.הַמַּעֲלוֹתOf Solomon.לִשְׁלֹמֹהIfאִםYHWHיְהוָהdoes notלֹאbuildיִבְנֶהa house,בַיִתin vainשָׁוְאits buildersבוֹנָיוtoilעָמְלוּon it;בּוֹifאִםYHWHיְהוָהdoes notלֹאkeepיִשְׁמָרa city,עִירin vainשָׁוְאthe keeperשׁוֹמֵרstays awake.שָׁקַד
song
A composition sung with words and melody, to praise or celebrate.
Where else “shir” appearsascent
"Song of ascents", the title of psalms sung on the way up to Jerusalem.
Where else “maalot” appearsSolomon
Solomon: son of David and Bathsheba, who reigned after him and built the temple. His name comes from "peace" (shalom).
Where else “shelomo” appearsYHWH
The personal name of the God of Israel, written in Hebrew with four letters, Y-H-W-H, without vowels. Out of reverence Jews stopped pronouncing it and read "Adonai" (Lord), so many Bibles put "the LORD" or "Jehovah". This translation keeps the four letters. The name is related to the verb "to be" (Exodus 3:14-15). He is not a god other than Elohim: "YHWH Elohim" is the same Creator God, called by his name.
Where else “yehva” appearsbuild
To raise a house, a city or an altar, setting stone on stone.
Where else “yivne” appearshouse
A building to live in, or an enclosed place to keep something or someone.
Where else “vayit” appearsemptiness
Something of no value; using YHWH's name lightly.
Where else “shav” appearstoil, labor
To toil, to work hard and wearily.
Where else “amlu” appearsguard
To watch over, protect from all harm.
Where else “yishmar” appearscity
A settled place protected by a wall, with a gate and houses.
Where else “ir” appearskeep watch, be awake
To keep watch, to stay awake and alert in order to guard something.
Where else “shakad” appears1 · This verse (above)
2It is in vain for you to rise early to get up, to be late to sit down, to eat the bread of anxious toils; so he gives to his beloved sleep.
