Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 127:4
As arrows [are] in the hand of a mighty man; so [are] children of the youth.
4. children of the youth ] The sons of youth; sons born while their parents are young and vigorous (Gen 49:3; contrast ‘the son of his old age,’ Gen 37:3), not only as being themselves more vigorous, but because they grow up in time to be the defence and succour of their parents’ old age. The figure of the arrows in the hand of the warrior was a natural one when the restoration of the state had to be carried on in face of opposition from within and from without.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man – They are what a parent may rely on for defense in danger, or for help in securing provision for himself and family – as the warrior or the hunter relies on his arrows.
So are children of the youth – Sons in their youth; in their prime and vigor. The comparison of sons with arrows or spears is common in Arabic poetry. See Rosenmuller, Com. in loc. Also Morgenland, in loc.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Psa 127:4
As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man, so are the children of the youth.
Children likened to arrows
1. An arrow is small, but powerful. One slew Ahab. Latent capacities of a child.
2. An arrow must be sharpened. A child must-be educated, its faculties developed. Note its natural sharpness.
3. An arrow travels far. Who can measure the influence of a child?
4. Its power depends upon the strength and judgment with which it is sent. A lesson to parents.
5. It is firmly imbedded, is the twig is bent, so it will grow.
6. Let us not send into the world poisoned arrows. (Homiletic Review.)
Children as arrows
Children, you may perceive here what is the duty which you owe your parents. You are to protect them in their old age, and be to them as arrows in the hands of the warrior. Protect them from the assaults of poverty, should they require your assistance in this respect. Poverty and old age are unsuitable companions: let it be your pleasure to alleviate this distressing yoke as far as you can. They did not leave you to the cold charity of strangers when you were more feeble than they now are. Why should you act differently towards them, and pay back your debt with an immense ingratitude? You are to protect them under all the infirmities of declining years. If you cannot bear with the fretfulness of disease, and with the deepening shadows of those to whom under God you owe your existence, and who toiled for you and watched over you when you could do neither for yourselves, what sympathy can be expected from others? (N. McMichael.)
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Psa 128:1-6
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 4. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man] Each child will, in the process of time, be a defence and support to the family, as arrows in the quiver of a skilful and strong archer; the more he has, the more enemies he may slay, and consequently the more redoubted shall he be.
Children of the youth.] The children of young people are always more strong and vigorous, more healthy, and generally longer lived than those of elderly, or comparatively elderly persons. Youth is the time for marriage; I do not mean infancy or a comparative childhood, in which several fools join in marriage who are scarcely fit to leave the nursery or school. Such couples generally disagree; they cannot bear the boyish and girlish petulancies and caprices of each other; their own growth is hindered, and their offspring, (if any,) have never much better than an embryo existence. On the other hand age produces only a dwarfish or rickety offspring, that seldom live to procreate; and when they do, it is only to perpetuate deformity and disease. It would be easy to assign reasons for all this; but the interpretation of Scripture will seldom admit of physiological details. It is enough that God has said, Children of the youth are strong and active, like arrows in the hands of the mighty.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
In the hand of a mighty man; when they are shot out of a bow by a man of great strength against his enemy, which are of great use and power, both to offend the enemy, and to defend himself.
Children of the youth; children begotten in youth, as a husband or wife married in their youth are called a husband or wife of youth, Pro 5:18; Isa 54:6; Joe 1:8, and as a son begotten in old age is called a son of old age, Gen 37:3. And these he prefers before other children in this point, partly because such are commonly more strong and vigorous than others; and partly because they live longest with their parents, and to their comfort and support, whereas children born in old age seldom come to any maturity of years before their parents death.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
As arrows [are] in the hand of a mighty man,…. Are shot out with great strength; come with much force, and do execution, and do not return in vain; with which men defend themselves, and annoy their enemies; see Jer 50:9;
so [are] children of the youth: not young children, or children in their youth; but such who are born to their parents when they are in their youth; and which are generally healthful and strong, and their parents live to see them grown up; and who are useful to protect them, and defend their persons and properties from enemies when grown old and feeble, and unable to defend themselves: whereas children born to them in old age are generally unhealthy and weak; and besides, their parents rarely live to see them brought up, or to be helpful to them. So Christ’s spiritual seed and offspring, who are the dew of his youth, are strong, and overcome the evil one; and are serviceable in the defence of his cause and interest.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(4) Children of the youthi.e., the offspring of an early marriage. Aquila, sons of young and vigorous parents. The young man, with his numerous family around him, is like the vigorous warrior with his quiver full of arrows.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
4. Children of the youth Children born while their parents are young. Thus Gen 49:3, “My firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength,” distinguished from those begotten when their parents were aged.
Gen 37:3
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Psa 127:4-5. Children of the youth, &c. These are opposed to the children of old age; and of these it is frequently observed, that they are the strongest, being, as Jacob says of Reuben, his might, the beginning of his strength; and of such it is here said, they are at arrows in the hands of the mighty Man 1:1 :e. able to defend their parent against the attempts of his enemies, as well as weapons can be. His quiver full of them, means his house as full of children as the quiver of a mighty man is of arrows. They shall speak with the enemies in the gate, means, they shall plead for him against his adversaries, in the courts of judicature; which, as we have frequently remarked, were held at the gates of cities.
REFLECTIONS.The less we depend on our own schemes, or lean to our own understanding, and the more we look up to God, and seek help and direction from him, the surer will be the prosperity of every work of our hands.
1. Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it. Whatever projects we may conceive for the advancement of ourselves or families; whatever plans we may draw, for rearing up some noble pile for our abode, it is a Babel tower, and the family will be miserable, unless the Lord give his blessing and success. And if in temporals, much more in spirituals, are we bound to depend upon him; the wisest of ministers, and the best of men, cannot square one of the living stones to raise the church of God, unless his power and grace work effectually with them.
2. As vain is the watchman’s care. It is not the multitude of guards, or their wakeful vigilance, but a greater Guardian who can preserve the city. The most vigilant and active watchman upon the walls of Zion, cannot prevent the irruption of heretics, and the breaches of ungodliness: this must come from above; nevertheless, he must do his duty as an unworthy instrument.
3. Vain are all our anxious labours, without God’s blessing. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows earned by hard toil; all this care, assiduity, and diligence, is fruitless; if God be not regarded, he will disappoint the hopes of the worldly-minded, and mar all their labours. But where honest industry is employed in dependance upon him, so he giveth his beloved sleep, no carking cares disturb the repose of such; they sleep in peace, in the arms of the Divine love, and rise refreshed and happy, to enjoy the new mercies which, with the returning day, are showered upon them.
4. Children are God’s gifts. He that formed the first man from the clay, must form each embryo in the womb; and when they are given, from him it comes that these children are our blessings and reward; the most pious parent sees a corrupted offspring, till God, by his grace, converts them, and makes them doubly our comfort and joy.
5. They are happy who have these gifts of God. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man, so are children of the youth, those sprung from parents in the prime of their youth: or who are themselves grown up healthy and strong, able to assist their parents in their declining age. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them; they shall not be ashamed, their ill conduct shall never reflect upon or grieve their parents, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate; their children will be their advocates, and their number and strength, their support and defence. Happy the parent blest with such children! Happy such children as learn thus to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents’ labours of love!
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Psa 127:4 As arrows [are] in the hand of a mighty man; so [are] children of the youth.
Ver. 4. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man ] Heb. of a giant, who shooteth them with a courage, and is cunning at it. As clean and well kept arrows. This similitude importeth that children must have more in them than nature; for arrows are no arrows by growth, but by art; so they must be such children, the knottiness of whose nature is refined and reformed, and made smooth by grace; and then they are cared for. As, if they prove otherwise, they are a singular heartbreak to their poor parents, who are seen to sit under Elijah’s juniper, wishing for death, and saying, with Moses, Num 11:14-15 , I am not able to bear all this sore affliction, “because it is too heavy for me. And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness.”
So are children of the youth
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
arrows: Jer 50:9
so are children: Pro 17:6, Pro 31:28
Reciprocal: Gen 11:11 – begat sons Psa 144:12 – as plants Pro 27:11 – that I Ecc 6:3 – a man
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Psa 127:4-5. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man That knows how to use them for his own safety and advantage; so are children of the youth Children born to their parents when they are young, who are generally the strongest and most healthful children, grow up, and become qualified to serve their parents by the time they need their service, and who live longest with them; whereas those who are born in old age seldom arrive at mature age before their parents die. Such children, when well educated, pious, and obedient, are like so many arrows in the hand of a mighty man, ready winged with duty and love to fly to the mark; polished and keen to grace and maintain the cause of their parents, to defend them from hostile invasions, and instantly to repel every assailant. Happy is he who hath his quiver full of them Whose house is as full of children as the quiver of a mighty man is of arrows. They These parents, who have such a numerous issue; shall not be ashamed, &c. Shall courageously plead their cause in courts of judicature, which were held at the gates of cities, not fearing to be crushed by the might of their adversaries, as weak and helpless persons frequently are. Or, as some understand the words, the children shall not be ashamed to plead for their parents in the gates, but will be ready at all times to appear for them, to answer any charge that may be brought against them and to vindicate them in their persons, their good name, or their property.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
127:4 As arrows [are] in the hand of a mighty man; so [are] {f} children of the youth.
(f) That is, endued with strength and virtues from God: for these are signs of God’s blessings, and not the number.