Psalms 127:2

2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to[a] those he loves.

Psalms 127:2 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
2 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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
2 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.
New Living Translation (NLT)
2 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.
The Message Bible (MSG)
2 It's useless to rise early and go to bed late, and work your worried fingers to the bone. Don't you know he enjoys giving rest to those he loves?
American Standard Version (ASV)
2 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.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
2 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.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
2 In vain you get up early and stay up late, eating food earned by hard work; certainly He gives sleep to the one He loves.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
2 It's useless for you to work from early morning until late at night just to get food to eat. God provides for those he loves even while they sleep.

Psalms 127:2 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 127:2

[It is] vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late
A description of an industrious and laborious person, who takes great pains to get a livelihood, or increase his substance; see ( Psalms 104:23 ) ( Proverbs 31:15 Proverbs 31:18 ) ; which, yet, as in the former instances, depends upon the blessing of divine Providence, ( Proverbs 10:4 Proverbs 10:22 ) ( Ecclesiastes 9:11 ) . For, after all, it may come to nothing more at last than

to eat the bread of sorrows;
that is, to eat bread gotten with much sorrow and labour; such get bread, and that is all, and not that without the providence of God;

[for] so he giveth his beloved sleep;
that is, the Lord: such who are partakers of his grace, that fear and love him; to them, thus diligent and industrious, he gives not only bread to eat, but sleep, which to a labouring man is sweet; and having food and raiment, he gives them contentment, quietness, and satisfaction of mind, which is the greatest blessing of all. Sleep, even bodily sleep, was reckoned with the very Heathens a divine gift F24. Some think respect is had to, Solomon, whose name was Jedidiah, and signifies the beloved of the Lord, ( 2 Samuel 12:24 2 Samuel 12:25 ) ; to whom God gave peace, rest, and safety all around; or, as others, the kingdom without labour, when Absalom and Adonijah toiled for it: Christ, who is the Beloved of the Lord, the Son of his love, his well beloved Son, may be thought of, whose rest is glorious; his sleep in the grave, where his flesh rested from his labours and sufferings, in hope of the resurrection of it: and it may be applied to all the Lord's beloved ones; to whom he gives spiritual rest in this world, sleep in the arms of Jesus at death, and an everlasting rest in the world to come; all which depends not on their endeavours, but on his grace and goodness.


FOOTNOTES:

F24 "----prima quies--dono divum gratissima serpit", Virgil. Aeneid. l. 2. v. 264, 265. (upnou dwron) , Homer. Iliad. 7. v. 482. & 9. v. 709. & Odyss. 16. v. ult.

Psalms 127:2 In-Context

1 Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.
2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves.
3 Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him.
4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth.
5 Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.

Cross References 3

  • 1. S Genesis 3:17
  • 2. S Numbers 6:26; S Job 11:18
  • 3. S Deuteronomy 33:12; Ecclesiastes 2:25

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Or "eat—" / "for while they sleep he provides for"
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.