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.
Men ascribe their success entirely to themselves and rob God of His due honor. Solomon corrects this perverse error by declaring that nothing prospers except by God's blessing; our ingratitude is instant and shameless unless we acknowledge His hand in every prosperous event.
AI summary
Commenting on Psalm 127:1-5
Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it. The word vain is the keynote here, and we hear it ring out clearly three times. Men desiring to build know that they must labour, and accordingly they put forth all their skill and strength; but let them remember that if Jehovah is not with them their designs will prove failures.
Even a king's house stands only while God protects it. All our contrivance and ingenuity amount to nothing unless God blesses the work; the best-laid project fails without His crown of success, and we labor wholly in vain.
AI summary
Commenting on Psalm 127:1-5