The Latin phrase ‚Nisi Dominus Frustra‘ has been translated into English differently as it depends how you want to read it – this is because the words can be translated in a few ways.

It can be either translated as ‚Without the Lord, everything is in vain‘, ‚Unless the Lord in vain‘ or as ‚He that acts without the Lord acts in vain.‘ All three of these translations are correct in terms of the words used in the texts as they have joint meaning in Latin.

This is because the Latin word ’nisi‘ translates as either ‚unless‘, ‚except‘ or ‚without‘.  The word ‚dominus‘ stands for ‚lord‘ or ‚master‘, applying to ‚god‘ in this idiom. While finally ‚frustra‘ is the Latin word for in vain or useless.

If you were saying the phrase phonetically it would be pronounced as ’nee-see dom-ee-noos froos-tra‘.

This Latin phrase has been the motto of the city of Edinburgh in Scotland since 1647 and is also one of the mottoes of the King’s Own Scottish Border regiment.

It is a normal heraldic contradiction of the verse from the 127th psalm: ‚Except the Lord build the house. They labour in vain that it. Except the Lord keep the city. The watchman waketh but in vain.‘

This can be variously translated as „Without the Lord, everything is in vain“ „Except the Lord in Vain“ or „He that acts without the Lord Acts in vain.“ Basically nisi means „unless, if not or without“, Dominus means „lord“ or „master“ and frustra means „in vain“ or „useless.“

It has been the motto of the City of Edinburgh since at least the 17th century. It is also one of the mottoes of the King’s Own Scottish Borderers regiment. (The other is In Veritate Religionis Confido: „I put my trust in the truth of this faith.“)

Additional to the above answer, Nisi Dominus Frustra is the motto of the secondary school I went to. They are the first 3 latin words of Psalm 127.

Nisi Dominus Frusta The moto and blazer badge from West Park Grammer School Alder Hey Road St Helens, Lancashire, England. Run by the De La Salle brothers.

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I’m from Sri Lanka. I studied at Richmond College which was founded by Methodists in 1876. NISI DOMINUS FRUSTRA is our college motto which can be found in our college crest. From what I know the meaning is „Without the faith of god everything is in vain“
www.richmondcollege.lk
en.wikipedia.org

The phrase is found on hospital volunteer patches, and it means, „Without God we labor in vain.“

This motto was also used as part an early Blue Cross emblem. The description accompanying the emblem explains that „Nisi Dominus Frustra“ means „Without God We Can Do Nothing.“ –J.C. Bowerman (10/13/2009)