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 de Maaloth, de Salomon. Si l'Éternel ne bâtit la maison, ceux qui la bâtissent travaillent en vain. Si l'Éternel ne garde la ville, celui qui la garde veille en vain.

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.

En vain vous vous levez matin, vous vous couchez tard, et vous mangez le pain de douleur; il en donne autant à son bien-aimé pendant son sommeil.

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

Voici, les enfants sont un héritage de l'Éternel; le fruit des entrailles est une récompense.

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.

Telles les flèches dans la main d'un guerrier, tels sont les fils du jeune âge.

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].

Heureux l'homme qui en a rempli son carquois! Ils ne seront pas confus, quand ils parleront avec des ennemis à la porte.