Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves. New Living Translation It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones. English Standard Version It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. Berean Standard Bible In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for bread to eat—for He gives sleep to His beloved. King James Bible It 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. New King James Version It is vain for you to rise up early, To sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows; For so He gives His beloved sleep. New American Standard Bible It is futile for you to rise up early, To stay up late, To eat the bread of painful labor; This is how He gives to His beloved sleep. NASB 1995 It is vain for you to rise up early, To retire late, To eat the bread of painful labors; For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep. NASB 1977 It is vain for you to rise up early, To retire late, To eat the bread of painful labors; For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep. Legacy Standard Bible It is in vain that you rise up early, That you sit out late, O you who eat the bread of painful labors; For in this manner, He gives sleep to His beloved. Amplified Bible It is vain for you to rise early, To retire late, To eat the bread of anxious labors— For He gives [blessings] to His beloved even in his sleep. Christian Standard Bible In vain you get up early and stay up late, working hard to have enough food— yes, he gives sleep to the one he loves. Holman Christian Standard Bible In vain you get up early and stay up late, working hard to have enough food— yes, He gives sleep to the one He loves. American Standard Version It is vain for you to rise up early, To take rest late, To eat the bread of toil; For so he giveth unto his beloved sleep. Contemporary English Version It is useless to get up early and stay up late in order to earn a living. God takes care of his own, even while they sleep. English Revised Version It is vain for you that ye rise up early, and so late take rest, and eat the bread of toil: for so he giveth unto his beloved sleep. GOD'S WORD® Translation It is useless to work hard for the food you eat by getting up early and going to bed late. The LORD gives [food] to those he loves while they sleep. Good News Translation It is useless to work so hard for a living, getting up early and going to bed late. For the LORD provides for those he loves, while they are asleep. International Standard Version It is useless to get up early and to stay up late, eating the food of exhausting labor— truly he gives sleep to those he loves. Majority Standard Bible In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for bread to eat?for He gives sleep to His beloved. NET Bible It is vain for you to rise early, come home late, and work so hard for your food. Yes, he can provide for those whom he loves even when they sleep. New Heart English Bible It is vain for you to rise up early, to stay up late, eating the bread of toil; for he gives sleep to his loved ones. Webster's Bible Translation It is vain for you to rise early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep. World English Bible It is vain for you to rise up early, to stay up late, eating the bread of toil, for he gives sleep to his loved ones. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionVain for you who are rising early, "" Who delay sitting, eating the bread of griefs, "" So He gives sleep to His beloved one. Young's Literal Translation Vain for you who are rising early, Who delay sitting, eating the bread of griefs, So He giveth to His beloved one sleep. Smith's Literal Translation In vain for you rising early to arise from after sitting; eating the bread of toils: so will he give to his beloved sleep. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleIt is vain for you to rise before light, rise ye after you have sitten, you that eat the bread of sorrow. When he shall give sleep to his beloved, Catholic Public Domain Version New American Bible It is vain for you to rise early and put off your rest at night, To eat bread earned by hard toil— all this God gives to his beloved in sleep. New Revised Standard Version It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives sleep to his beloved. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleIt is in vain for those who rise up early, who sit up late; they eat the bread of sorrows, for so he gives in sleep to his beloved. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Those who will rise early and are late to sit down eating bread, in sorrows, are worthless, so he will give his beloved ones sleep. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917It is vain for you that ye rise early, and sit up late, Ye that eat the bread of toil; So He giveth unto His beloved in sleep. Brenton Septuagint Translation It is vain for you to rise early: ye rise up after resting, ye that eat the bread of grief; while he gives sleep to his beloved. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Children are a Heritage From the LORD1A 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. 2In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for bread to eat— for He gives sleep to His beloved. 3Children are indeed a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is His reward.… Cross References Matthew 6:25-34 Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? / Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? / Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? ... Proverbs 3:24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you rest, your sleep will be sweet. Ecclesiastes 2:22-23 For what does a man get for all the toil and striving with which he labors under the sun? / Indeed, all his days are filled with grief, and his task is sorrowful; even at night, his mind does not rest. This too is futile. Matthew 11:28-30 Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. / Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. / For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Luke 12:22-31 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. / For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. / Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storehouse or barn; yet God feeds them. How much more valuable you are than the birds! ... Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. / And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Proverbs 10:22 The blessing of the LORD enriches, and He adds no sorrow to it. Ecclesiastes 5:12 The sleep of the worker is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of the rich man permits him no sleep. 1 Corinthians 3:6-7 I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. / So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. James 4:13-15 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make a profit.” / You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. / Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.” Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace the steadfast of mind, because he trusts in You. Hebrews 4:9-10 There remains, then, a Sabbath rest for the people of God. / For whoever enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His. Job 11:18-19 You will be secure, because there is hope, and you will look around and lie down in safety. / You will lie down without fear, and many will court your favor. Jeremiah 31:25 for I will refresh the weary soul and replenish all who are weak.” Treasury of Scripture It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he gives his beloved sleep. vain Psalm 39:5,6 Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah… Ecclesiastes 1:14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit. Ecclesiastes 2:1-11,20-23 I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity… rise up Proverbs 31:15-18 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens… the bread Genesis 3:17-19 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; … Ecclesiastes 6:7 All the labour of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled. for so he Psalm 3:5 I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me. Psalm 4:8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety. Ecclesiastes 5:12 The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep. Jump to Previous Anxious Beloved Bread Delay Early Eat Eating Food Gives Grants Late Loves Ones Painful Rest Retire Rise Rising Sit Sitting Sleep Sorrows Toil Toiling Use VainJump to Next Anxious Beloved Bread Delay Early Eat Eating Food Gives Grants Late Loves Ones Painful Rest Retire Rise Rising Sit Sitting Sleep Sorrows Toil Toiling Use VainPsalm 127 1. The virtue of God's blessing3. Good children are his gift In vain you rise early and stay up late This phrase emphasizes the futility of human efforts without divine blessing. The Hebrew word for "vain" is "שָׁוְא" (shav), which conveys emptiness or worthlessness. Historically, this reflects the agrarian society of ancient Israel, where early rising and late working were common. Yet, the psalmist reminds us that without God's favor, such toil is fruitless. This serves as a spiritual reminder that our endeavors should be aligned with God's will, trusting in His provision rather than solely relying on our own strength. toiling for bread to eat— for He gives sleep to His beloved "It is in vain to rise early; To delay the hour of rest, To eat the bread that has been won by toil; At His pleasure He giveth to His beloved (in) sleep." As to the last clause, it seems right, from its use in Genesis 1, "it was so," to give so the sense "at His pleasure," this being also indicated by the general drift of the psalm. The word "sleep" may be either the direct object, as in the LXX. and Vulg., or the accusative used adverbially, "in sleep," "while they sleep." That the latter suits the context best there can be no question. The whole intention of the psalm is to assert the truth which the Book of Proverbs sums up in one sentence (Proverbs 10:22): "The blessing of Jehovah maketh rich, and toil can add nothing thereto," the truth which was so impressively taught in the Sermon on the Mount, by the contrast of man's restless ambition with the unconscious dependence on the Divine bounty of birds and flowers. To say that what others toil for from morning till night in vain, God gives to His beloved without all this anxiety and exertion, while they sleep, puts this truth forcibly, and with that disregard of apparent paradox which was natural to a Hebrew, and which appears so prominently in our Saviour's treatment of the subject. Labour is decried as unnecessary neither here nor in the Sermon on the Mount, but "carking care" is dismissed as unworthy those who, from past experience, ought to trust the goodness of the great Provider. The Greek proverb, "The net catches while the fisher sleeps," and the German, "God bestows His gifts during the night," bring common expressions to confirm this voice of inspiration, which was, in almost so many words, recalled in our Lord's parable (Mark 4:27). But old association pleads for the equally true and equally beautiful rendering which makes sleep the gift of God. If there is one thing which seems to come more direct from Heaven's bounty than another, that in its character is more benign, in its effects more akin to the nature of God, it is the blessing of sleep. In all times men have rendered thanks to Heaven for this boon. The ancients not only spoke of sleep as "most grateful of known gifts," but made itself a god. The psalmist unconsciously, but most truly, teaches us the further lesson that it is not only a Divine blessing, but a proof of Divine love: "Of all the thoughts of God that are Borne inward unto souls afar, . . . Verse 2. - It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late (comp. Isaiah 5:11); i.e. to be "careful and troubled" about your work in the world, whatever it is. To eat the bread of sorrows. To feed, as it were, on sorrow - and trouble and care - to make your lives a burden to yourselves through your carefulness. For so he giveth his beloved sleep; rather, surely he giveth to his beloved in sleep; i.e. in their sleep. The teaching is similar to that of Exodus 14:14; Isaiah 30:7, 15; Matthew 6:25-34. God gives to men that which he knows they have need of, if they have only the faith to "sit still" and "wait."Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew In vainשָׁ֤וְא (šāw) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7723: Evil, idolatry, uselessness you לָכֶ֨ם ׀ (lā·ḵem) Preposition | second person masculine plural Strong's Hebrew rise ק֡וּם (qūm) Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand early מַשְׁכִּ֪ימֵי (maš·kî·mê) Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine plural construct Strong's 7925: To load up, to start early in the morning and stay up שֶׁ֗בֶת (še·ḇeṯ) Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry late, מְאַֽחֲרֵי־ (mə·’a·ḥă·rê-) Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural construct Strong's 309: To loiter, to procrastinate toiling הָעֲצָבִ֑ים (hā·‘ă·ṣā·ḇîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 6089: An earthen vessel, toil, a pang for bread לֶ֣חֶם (le·ḥem) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3899: Food, bread, grain to eat— אֹ֭כְלֵי (’ō·ḵə·lê) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct Strong's 398: To eat for כֵּ֤ן (kên) Adverb Strong's 3651: So -- thus He gives יִתֵּ֖ן (yit·tên) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5414: To give, put, set sleep שֵׁנָֽא׃ (šê·nā) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 8142: Sleep to His beloved. לִֽידִיד֣וֹ (lî·ḏî·ḏōw) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 3039: Beloved Links Psalm 127:2 NIVPsalm 127:2 NLT Psalm 127:2 ESV Psalm 127:2 NASB Psalm 127:2 KJV Psalm 127:2 BibleApps.com Psalm 127:2 Biblia Paralela Psalm 127:2 Chinese Bible Psalm 127:2 French Bible Psalm 127:2 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Psalm 127:2 It is vain for you to rise (Psalm Ps Psa.) |
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