While I am interested in general linguistics, especially those of my
ancestors (Swedish, German, Irish), I'm primarily concerned with
translating one specific phrase: "Pick up the hammer." I know, it's
odd, but I'm trying to create a motivational plaque for my home:
It's a comment on the Norse brand of fatalism: Thor dies battling
the Midgard Serpent; it has been fortold, and is inescapable. He
does not go into battle out of desperation, however. He knows it is
a battle that must be fought, and he chooses to meet his end on his
feet. He goes down swinging. I'd like to carve it, in runes, in a
plank of Ash, below a bas-relief representation of Mjolnir.

Can anyone help, or point me in the right direction?

Thanks,

Pete Sauber