< 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].
Wallfahrtslieder. Von Salomo. Wenn Jahwe nicht das Haus baut, so haben sich seine Erbauer umsonst mit ihm abgemüht; wenn Jahwe nicht die Stadt behütet, so hat der Wächter umsonst gewacht.
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.
Es ist umsonst für euch, die ihr früh aufsteht und erst spät euch niederlegt, indem ihr das Brot der Mühen eßt: ebenso giebt er's seinem Geliebten im Schlafe.
3 Children are a gift [that comes to parents] from Yahweh; they are a reward/blessing from him.
Fürwahr, ein von Jahwe verliehener Besitz sind Söhne, ein Lohn die Leibesfrucht.
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 Helden, also 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 seinen Köcher mit ihnen gefüllt hat! Sie werden nicht zu Schanden, wenn sie im Thore mit Feinden verhandeln.

< Psalms 127 >