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].

Ein Wallfahrtslied Salomos. Wenn der HERR das Haus nicht baut,

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.

Vergebens ist’s für euch, daß früh ihr aufsteht und spät noch sitzt bei der Arbeit, um das Brot der Mühsal zu essen; ebenso (reichlich) gibt er’s seinen Freunden im Schlaf. –

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

Ja, Söhne sind ein Geschenk des HERRN, und Kindersegen ist eine Belohnung.

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.

Wie Pfeile in der Hand eines Kriegers, so sind die Söhne der Jugendkraft:

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].

wohl dem Manne, der mit ihnen seinen Köcher gefüllt hat! Die werden nicht zuschanden, wenn sie verhandeln mit Widersachern im Stadttor.