Psalms 127:2 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Striving through exhaustion and anxiety is pointless; God provides rest for those He loves.
The Context of Psalms 127:2
Illustration of the contrast between anxious striving and peaceful trust.
What Does Psalms 127:2 Mean?
The psalmist addresses the common struggle of anxious labor—rising early, staying late into the night, eating bread earned through sorrow and worry. This captures the self-imposed burden of those who rely only on their own effort and cannot find peace.
In contrast, God grants sleep to His beloved—a gift of rest and peace. Sleep here represents not laziness but the security that comes from trusting in God's provision rather than being consumed by worry.
Psalms 127:2 in the Original Language
שֵׁנָא (shenah), 'sleep' — not mere rest but the peaceful state granted by God to those who trust Him.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 127:2
What does Psalms 127:2 mean?
Striving through exhaustion and anxiety is pointless; God provides rest for those He loves.
What is the context of Psalms 127:2?
Illustration of the contrast between anxious striving and peaceful trust.