# Where is “Unless the Lord builds the house” in the Bible?

> “Unless the Lord builds the house” is Psalm 127:1.

Source: https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/unless-the-lord-builds-the-house
By Andrew Kittridge · November 10, 2026

It opens a Song of Ascents that carries Solomon’s name.

## The verse

> Unless Yahweh builds the house, its builders labor over it in vain. Unless Yahweh guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.
>
> — [Psalm 127:1](https://www.lumin.faith/read/psalm/127#1) (Lumin Translation)

English Bibles word this verse in different ways. The Lumin Translation, a modern English Bible, is quoted here.

## What it means there

The psalm does not tell builders to stop building or watchmen to stop watching. It says their work comes to nothing without God in it.

## Common questions

### Where is “Unless the Lord builds the house” in the Bible?

“Unless the Lord builds the house” is Psalm 127:1. English Bibles word this verse in different ways. The Lumin Translation, a modern English Bible, is quoted here. It opens a Song of Ascents that carries Solomon’s name.

### Is “Unless the Lord builds the house” in the Bible?

Yes. It is Psalm 127:1. In the Lumin Translation, Psalm 127:1 reads: “Unless Yahweh builds the house, its builders labor over it in vain. Unless Yahweh guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.”

### Who said “Unless the Lord builds the house”?

It opens a Song of Ascents that carries Solomon’s name.

### What does “Unless the Lord builds the house” mean in the Bible?

The psalm does not tell builders to stop building or watchmen to stop watching. It says their work comes to nothing without God in it.

## More

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