Salme 127

1 (Sang til Festrejserne. Af Salomo.) Dersom HERREN ikke bygger huset, er Bygmestrenes Møje forgæves, dersom HERREN ikke vogter Byen, våger Vægteren forgæves.

A Song of Ascents. By Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, they who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman guards it in vain.

2 Det er forgæves, I står årle op og går sent til Ro, ædende Sliddets Brød; alt sligt vil han give sin Ven i Søvne.

It is vain for you to rise up early, to stay up late, eating the bread of toil, for he gives sleep to his loved ones.

3 Se, Sønner er HERRENs Gave, Livsens Frugt er en Løn.

Behold, children are a heritage of the LORD. The fruit of the womb is his reward.

4 Som Pile i Krigerens Hånd er Sønner, man får i sin Ungdom.

As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are the children of youth.

5 Salig den Mand, som fylder sit Kogger med dem; han beskæmmes ej, når han taler med Fjender i Porten.

Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them. They won’t be disappointed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.