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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 127:2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for bread to eat--for He gives sleep to His beloved.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/127-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/16/19_Psa_127_002.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 127:2 - Children are a Heritage From the LORD" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for bread to eat--for He gives sleep to His beloved." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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for God gives rest to his loved ones. <a href="/esv/psalms/127.htm">English Standard Version</a> 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. <a href="/bsb/psalms/127.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for bread to eat—for He gives sleep to His beloved. <a href="/kjv/psalms/127.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/psalms/127.htm">New King James Version</a> 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. <a href="/nasb_/psalms/127.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nasb/psalms/127.htm">NASB 1995</a> 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. <a href="/nasb77/psalms/127.htm">NASB 1977 </a> 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. <a href="/lsb/psalms/127.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> 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. <a href="/amp/psalms/127.htm">Amplified Bible</a> 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. <a href="/csb/psalms/127.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/hcsb/psalms/127.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/asv/psalms/127.htm">American Standard Version</a> 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. <a href="/cev/psalms/127.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> 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. <a href="/erv/psalms/127.htm">English Revised Version</a> 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. <a href="/gwt/psalms/127.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> 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. <a href="/gnt/psalms/127.htm">Good News Translation</a> 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. <a href="/isv/psalms/127.htm">International Standard Version</a> 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. <a href="/msb/psalms/127.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for bread to eat?for He gives sleep to His beloved. <a href="/net/psalms/127.htm">NET Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nheb/psalms/127.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> 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. <a href="/wbt/psalms/127.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> 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. <a href="/web/psalms/127.htm">World English Bible</a> 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. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/psalms/127.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Vain for you who are rising early, "" Who delay sitting, eating the bread of griefs, "" So He gives sleep to His beloved one. <a href="/ylt/psalms/127.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Vain for you who are rising early, Who delay sitting, eating the bread of griefs, So He giveth to His beloved one sleep. <a href="/slt/psalms/127.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> In vain for you rising early to arise from after sitting; eating the bread of toils: so will he give to his beloved sleep.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/psalms/127.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> It 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, <a href="/cpdv/psalms/127.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> <V 126:2>It is in vain that you rise before daylight, that you rise up after you have sat down, you who chew the bread of sorrow. Whereas, to his beloved, he will give sleep. <a href="/nabre/psalms/127.htm">New American Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nrsvce/psalms/127.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> 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.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/psalms/127.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> It 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. <a href="/hpbt/psalms/127.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> 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.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/psalms/127.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> It 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. <a href="/sep/psalms/127.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> 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. <a href="/parallel/psalms/127-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=16343" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/psalms/127.htm">Children are a Heritage From the LORD</a> 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. 2<a href="/hebrew/7723.htm" title="7723: šāw (N-ms) -- Or shav; from the same as show' in the sense of desolating; evil, literally or morally; figuratively idolatry, uselessness.">In vain</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·ḵem (Prep:: 2mp) -- ">you</a> <a href="/hebrew/6965.htm" title="6965: qūm (V-Qal-Inf) -- To arise, stand up, stand. A primitive root; to rise.">rise</a> <a href="/hebrew/7925.htm" title="7925: maš·kî·mê (V-Hifil-Prtcpl-mpc) -- A primitive root; properly, to incline; but used only as denominative from shkem; literally, to load up, i.e. To start early in the morning.">early</a> <a href="/hebrew/3427.htm" title="3427: še·ḇeṯ (V-Qal-Inf) -- A primitive root; properly, to sit down; by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry.">and stay up</a> <a href="/hebrew/309.htm" title="309: mə·’a·ḥă·rê- (V-Piel-Prtcpl-mpc) -- To remain behind, tarry. A primitive root; to loiter; by implication to procrastinate.">late,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6089.htm" title="6089: hā·‘ă·ṣā·ḇîm (Art:: N-mp) -- An earthen vessel, toil, a pang. From atsab; an earthen vessel; usually toil; also a pang: grievous, idol, labor, sorrow.">toiling</a> <a href="/hebrew/3899.htm" title="3899: le·ḥem (N-msc) -- Bread, food. From lacham; food, especially bread, or grain.">for bread</a> <a href="/hebrew/398.htm" title="398: ’ō·ḵə·lê (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc) -- To eat. A primitive root; to eat.">to eat—</a> <a href="/hebrew/3651.htm" title="3651: kên (Adv) -- So, thus. From kuwn; properly, set upright; hence just; but usually rightly or so.">for</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: yit·tên (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">He gives</a> <a href="/hebrew/8142.htm" title="8142: šê·nā (N-fs) -- Sleep. Or shena; from yashen; sleep.">sleep</a> <a href="/hebrew/3039.htm" title="3039: lî·ḏî·ḏōw (Prep-l:: N-msc:: 3ms) -- Beloved. From the same as dowd; loved.">to His beloved.</a> 3Children are indeed a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is His reward.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/matthew/6-25.htm">Matthew 6:25-34</a> 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? ... <a href="/proverbs/3-24.htm">Proverbs 3:24</a> When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you rest, your sleep will be sweet. <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-22.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:22-23</a> 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. <a href="/matthew/11-28.htm">Matthew 11:28-30</a> 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.” <a href="/luke/12-22.htm">Luke 12:22-31</a> 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! ... <a href="/philippians/4-6.htm">Philippians 4:6-7</a> 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. <a href="/1_peter/5-7.htm">1 Peter 5:7</a> Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. <a href="/proverbs/10-22.htm">Proverbs 10:22</a> The blessing of the LORD enriches, and He adds no sorrow to it. <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-12.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:12</a> The sleep of the worker is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of the rich man permits him no sleep. <a href="/1_corinthians/3-6.htm">1 Corinthians 3:6-7</a> 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. <a href="/james/4-13.htm">James 4:13-15</a> 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.” <a href="/isaiah/26-3.htm">Isaiah 26:3</a> You will keep in perfect peace the steadfast of mind, because he trusts in You. <a href="/hebrews/4-9.htm">Hebrews 4:9-10</a> 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. <a href="/job/11-18.htm">Job 11:18-19</a> 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. <a href="/jeremiah/31-25.htm">Jeremiah 31:25</a> for I will refresh the weary soul and replenish all who are weak.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>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<a href="/psalms/39-5.htm">Psalm 39:5,6</a> 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… <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-14.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:14</a> I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.<a href="/ecclesiastes/2-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:1-11,20-23</a> 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<a href="/proverbs/31-15.htm">Proverbs 31:15-18</a> She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens… the bread<a href="/genesis/3-17.htm">Genesis 3:17-19</a> 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; … <a href="/ecclesiastes/6-7.htm">Ecclesiastes 6:7</a> All the labour of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled.for so he<a href="/psalms/3-5.htm">Psalm 3:5</a> I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.<a href="/psalms/4-8.htm">Psalm 4:8</a> I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.<a href="/ecclesiastes/5-12.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:12</a> 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.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/94-19.htm">Anxious</a> <a href="/psalms/108-6.htm">Beloved</a> <a href="/psalms/109-10.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/psalms/119-60.htm">Delay</a> <a href="/psalms/119-147.htm">Early</a> <a href="/psalms/106-28.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/psalms/106-20.htm">Eating</a> <a href="/psalms/111-5.htm">Food</a> <a href="/psalms/119-130.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/psalms/147-14.htm">Grants</a> <a href="/job/24-6.htm">Late</a> <a href="/psalms/119-140.htm">Loves</a> <a href="/psalms/126-1.htm">Ones</a> <a href="/psalms/73-16.htm">Painful</a> <a href="/psalms/125-3.htm">Rest</a> <a href="/2_samuel/11-15.htm">Retire</a> <a href="/psalms/119-147.htm">Rise</a> <a href="/psalms/124-2.htm">Rising</a> <a href="/psalms/123-1.htm">Sit</a> <a href="/psalms/69-12.htm">Sitting</a> <a href="/psalms/121-4.htm">Sleep</a> <a href="/psalms/116-3.htm">Sorrows</a> <a href="/psalms/109-11.htm">Toil</a> <a href="/1_timothy/4-10.htm">Toiling</a> <a href="/psalms/125-3.htm">Use</a> <a href="/psalms/127-1.htm">Vain</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/139-23.htm">Anxious</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-3.htm">Beloved</a> <a href="/psalms/132-15.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-4.htm">Delay</a> <a href="/psalms/143-5.htm">Early</a> <a href="/psalms/128-2.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-25.htm">Eating</a> <a href="/psalms/132-15.htm">Food</a> <a href="/psalms/133-3.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/psalms/147-14.htm">Grants</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-4.htm">Late</a> <a href="/psalms/146-8.htm">Loves</a> <a href="/psalms/132-9.htm">Ones</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-23.htm">Painful</a> <a href="/psalms/132-4.htm">Rest</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-6.htm">Retire</a> <a href="/psalms/135-7.htm">Rise</a> <a href="/psalms/139-2.htm">Rising</a> <a href="/psalms/132-12.htm">Sit</a> <a href="/psalms/139-2.htm">Sitting</a> <a href="/psalms/132-4.htm">Sleep</a> <a href="/psalms/142-2.htm">Sorrows</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-10.htm">Toil</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-18.htm">Toiling</a> <a href="/psalms/129-7.htm">Use</a> <a href="/psalms/139-20.htm">Vain</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 127</div>1. <a href="/psalms/127-1.htm">The virtue of God's blessing</a> 3. <a href="/psalms/127-3.htm">Good children are his gift</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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The cultural context of ancient Israel involved agrarian societies where rising early and working late were common practices for survival. However, the psalmist emphasizes that such labor is meaningless without divine favor. This echoes <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-2.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:2</a>, where Solomon speaks of the vanity of human endeavors. The idea is that human effort alone cannot secure success or fulfillment, aligning with the biblical principle that God is the ultimate provider.toiling for bread to eat The reference to "toiling for bread" connects to the curse of <a href="/genesis/3-19.htm">Genesis 3:19</a>, where Adam is told he will eat bread by the sweat of his brow. This reflects the human condition post-Fall, where labor is necessary for sustenance. In the New Testament, Jesus teaches in <a href="/matthew/6-25.htm">Matthew 6:25-34</a> not to worry about daily needs, as God provides for His children. The phrase underscores the dependence on God for provision, contrasting human striving with divine grace.for He gives sleep to His beloved This part of the verse suggests that God grants rest and peace to those He loves, implying trust in His provision. Sleep is a gift from God, symbolizing peace and security. In biblical terms, sleep often represents a state of trust and reliance on God, as seen in <a href="/psalms/4-8.htm">Psalm 4:8</a>. The "beloved" can be seen as a type of Christ, who is the ultimate beloved of God, and through whom believers receive rest (<a href="/matthew/11-28.htm">Matthew 11:28-30</a>). This phrase reassures that God's care extends beyond physical needs to include spiritual and emotional well-being.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a> - Traditionally attributed as the author of <a href="/bsb/psalms/127.htm">Psalm 127</a>, Solomon was known for his wisdom and understanding of the futility of human efforts without God's blessing. 2. <a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a> - As the city where the Temple was built, it represents the center of worship and reliance on God, which is a theme in this Psalm. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_beloved.htm">The Beloved</a> - Refers to those who are loved by God, emphasizing the relationship between God and His people.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_self-reliance.htm">The Futility of Self-Reliance</a> Human efforts without God's blessing are ultimately in vain. We must recognize our dependence on God for true success and provision. <a href="/topical/g/god's_provision_and_rest.htm">God's Provision and Rest</a> God provides for His beloved, not just materially but also with rest and peace. Trusting in God allows us to experience His rest. <a href="/topical/p/prioritizing_relationship_with_god.htm">Prioritizing Relationship with God</a> Our relationship with God should take precedence over our work and worries. When we prioritize God, He takes care of our needs. <a href="/topical/t/the_gift_of_sleep.htm">The Gift of Sleep</a> Sleep is a gift from God, symbolizing trust and reliance on Him. It is a reminder that we are not in control, and we can rest in His care. <a href="/topical/b/balancing_work_and_faith.htm">Balancing Work and Faith</a> While diligence is important, it should not overshadow our faith and trust in God's provision. Balance is key to a fulfilling life.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_127.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 127</a> <a href="/q/do_you_avoid_sleeping_too_much.htm">Do you avoid sleeping too much?</a> <a href="/q/how_do_we_reconcile_labor_without_blessing.htm">(Psalm 127:2) How can we reconcile the idea that our labor is in vain without divine blessing with the evidence of personal accomplishments through diligence and skill alone? </a> <a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_about_busyness.htm">What does the Bible say regarding being busy?</a> <a href="/q/is_there_evidence_solomon_wrote_psalm_127.htm">(Psalm 127) Given the psalm’s traditional attribution to Solomon, is there historical or linguistic evidence confirming this authorship, or does the lack of clarity weaken its authority?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/127.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(2) It . . . sleep.--This verse, of the literal rendering of which there is no question, has met with many different interpretations. About the first clause there is no difference. Early rising, to pursue the business of the day, is vain without the Divine blessing on the labour. The next two clauses admit two different interpretations. Some connect the sitting down with the meal: "delaying to sit down and eat the bread of cares" (or sorrow), i.e., so immersed in business as to allow hardly time for meals. But it seems far more natural to take the Hebrew in its more extended sense of resting, and so explain, nearly as the Authorised Version:--"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 (<a href="/proverbs/10-22.htm" title="The blessing of the LORD, it makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.">Proverbs 10:22</a>): "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 (<a href="/mark/4-27.htm" title="And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knows not how.">Mark 4:27</a>). 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 areBorne inward unto souls afar, . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/127.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 2. - It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late (comp. <a href="/isaiah/5-11.htm">Isaiah 5:11</a>); 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 <a href="/exodus/14-14.htm">Exodus 14:14</a>; <a href="/isaiah/30-7.htm">Isaiah 30:7, 15</a>; <a href="/matthew/6-25.htm">Matthew 6:25-34</a>. God gives to men that which he knows they have need of, if they have only the faith to "sit still" and "wait." <a href="/commentaries/psalms/127-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>In vain שָׁ֤וְא (šāw) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7723.htm">Strong's 7723: </a> Evil, idolatry, uselessness you לָכֶ֨ם ׀ (lā·ḵem) Preposition | second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> rise ק֡וּם (qūm) Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6965.htm">Strong's 6965: </a> To arise, stand up, stand early מַשְׁכִּ֪ימֵי (maš·kî·mê) Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7925.htm">Strong's 7925: </a> To load up, to start early in the morning and stay up שֶׁ֗בֶת (še·ḇeṯ) Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3427.htm">Strong's 3427: </a> To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry late, מְאַֽחֲרֵי־ (mə·’a·ḥă·rê-) Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_309.htm">Strong's 309: </a> To loiter, to procrastinate toiling הָעֲצָבִ֑ים (hā·‘ă·ṣā·ḇîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6089.htm">Strong's 6089: </a> An earthen vessel, toil, a pang for bread לֶ֣חֶם (le·ḥem) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3899.htm">Strong's 3899: </a> Food, bread, grain to eat— אֹ֭כְלֵי (’ō·ḵə·lê) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_398.htm">Strong's 398: </a> To eat for כֵּ֤ן (kên) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3651.htm">Strong's 3651: </a> So -- thus He gives יִתֵּ֖ן (yit·tên) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> To give, put, set sleep שֵׁנָֽא׃ (šê·nā) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8142.htm">Strong's 8142: </a> Sleep to His beloved. לִֽידִיד֣וֹ (lî·ḏî·ḏōw) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3039.htm">Strong's 3039: </a> Beloved <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/127-2.htm">Psalm 127:2 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/psalms/127-2.htm">Psalm 127:2 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/psalms/127-2.htm">Psalm 127:2 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/psalms/127-2.htm">Psalm 127:2 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/psalms/127-2.htm">Psalm 127:2 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/127-2.htm">Psalm 127:2 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/127-2.htm">Psalm 127:2 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/127-2.htm">Psalm 127:2 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/127-2.htm">Psalm 127:2 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/psalms/127-2.htm">Psalm 127:2 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/psalms/127-2.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 127:2 It is vain for you to rise (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/127-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 127:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 127:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/127-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 127:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 127:3" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>