Psalm 127

1 [Ein Stufenlied.] Von Salomo. Wenn Jehova das Haus nicht baut, vergebens arbeiten daran die Bauleute; wenn Jehova die Stadt nicht bewacht, vergebens wacht der Wächter.

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].

2 Vergebens ist es für euch, daß ihr früh aufstehet, spät aufbleibet, das Brot der Mühsal [Eig. das Brot der Mühen, d. h. das sauer erworbene Brot] esset; also gibt er seinem Geliebten im [O. den] Schlaf.

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.

3 Siehe, ein Erbteil Jehovas sind Söhne, eine Belohnung die Leibesfrucht;

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

4 Wie Pfeile in der Hand eines Helden, so sind die Söhne der Jugend:

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.

5 Glückselig der Mann, der mit ihnen seinen Köcher gefüllt hat! Sie werden nicht beschämt werden, wenn sie mit Feinden reden im Tore.

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].