PSALTERIVM

PSALMVS CXXVI — NISI DOMINVS

Unless the Lord Build the House

Nisi Dominus aedificaverit domum is a wisdom psalm on divine blessing as the source of all success. The phrases 'Unless the Lord build the house' and 'He gives to his beloved in sleep' are constantly quoted. St. Augustine interprets the house as the Church and the children as converts.

LATINE
Nisi Dominus aedificaverit domum, in vanum laboraverunt qui aedificant eam.
Nisi Dominus custodierit civitatem, frustra vigilat qui custodit eam.
Vanum est vobis ante lucem surgere: surgite postquam sederitis, qui manducatis panem doloris.
Cum dederit dilectis suis somnum: ecce haereditas Domini filii: merces, fructus ventris.
Sicut sagittae in manu potentis: ita filii excussorum.
Beatus vir qui implevit desiderium suum ex ipsis: non confundetur cum loquetur inimicis suis in porta.
ENGLISH
Unless the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it.
Unless the Lord keep the city, he watcheth in vain that keepeth it.
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, behold the inheritance of the Lord are children: the reward, the fruit of the womb.
As arrows in the hand of the mighty, so the children of them that have been shaken.
Blessed is the man that hath filled his desire with them; he shall not be confounded when he shall speak to his enemies in the gate.
NOTA
FONS
Douay-Rheims (1609) / Vulgata
USUS
Family, Work, Little Hours
CONTEXT
Psalm 127 in Hebrew numbering. Eighth Song of Ascents. 'Nisi Dominus' became a motto on public buildings. Traditional family blessing psalm.