Psalms 127

1 If people are building a house without [knowing whether] it is Yahweh’s [will to build it], they are building it in vain. [Similarly], if Yahweh does not protect a city, it is useless for guards/sentries to stay awake [to tell people if their enemies come to attack it].

Cantique des degrés de Salomon. Si le Seigneur ne bâtit une maison, en vain travaillent ceux qui la bâtissent. Si le Seigneur ne garde une cité, inutilement veille celui qui la garde.

2 It is [also] useless to arise very early and go to sleep late at night in order that you can work hard [all day] to [earn money to buy] food, because Yahweh gives food to those whom he loves.

C’est chose vaine à vous de vous lever avant le jour: levez-vous après que vous aurez pris du repos, vous qui mangez un pain de douleur. Lorsqu’il aura donné à ses bien-aimés le sommeil,

3 Children are a gift [that comes to parents] from Yahweh; they are a reward/blessing from him.

Voici l’héritage du Seigneur, des fils; la récompense, le fruit des entrailles.

4 If a man has sons while he is still young, [when they grow up, they will be able to help him defend his family] like [SIM] a soldier [can defend himself if] he has [a bow and] arrows in his hand.

Comme des flèches dans la main d’un archer vigoureux, ainsi sont les fils des exilés.

5 A man [who has many sons] is [very] happy, like [MET] [a soldier who has many arrows] in his quiver is very happy. If a man [with his many grown sons is taken] by his enemies to the place where they decide matters, his enemies will never be able to defeat that man, [because his sons will help to defend him].

Bienheureux l’homme qui par eux a rempli son désir; il ne sera pas confondu, lorsqu’il parlera à ses ennemis à la porte de la ville.