God’s Word Translation
Psalms 127:4
4The children born to a man when he is young are like arrows in the hand of a warrior.
Psalms 127:4 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.
- New International Version (NIV)Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth.
Context of Psalms 127:4
2It is useless to work hard for the food you eat by getting up early and going to bed late. The Lord gives ⌞food⌟ to those he loves while they sleep. 3Children are an inheritance from the Lord. They are a reward from him. The children born to a man when he is young are like arrows in the hand of a warrior. 5Blessed is the man who has filled his quiver with them. He will not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the city gate.
Read all of Psalms 127Psalms 127:4 word by word
כְּחִצִּ֥ים בְּיַד־גִּבּ֑וֹר כֵּ֝֗ן בְּנֵ֣י הַנְּעוּרִֽים׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Psalms 127:4
- Jeremiah 50:9I am going to stir up an alliance of strong nations from the north and bring it against Babylon. Those nations will take up positions against Babylon. Babylon will be captured from the north. Its enemy’s arrows will be like skilled soldiers who don’t come back empty-handed.
- Proverbs 17:6Grandchildren are the crown of grandparents, and parents are the glory of their children.
- Proverbs 31:28Her children and her husband stand up and bless her. In addition, he sings her praises, by saying,
Commentaries on Psalms 127:4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man - Each child will, in the process of time, be a defense and support to the family, as arrows in the quiver of a skillful 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…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4As 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.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 4-5Like arrows: The image compares children to arrows in a warrior’s hand. Children strengthen and support the family and help defend its honor when others accuse or oppose them (compare Psalms 120:4; 7:12–13).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 3-53-5. Posterity is often represented as a blessing from God (Ge 30:2, 18; 1Sa 1:19, 20). Children are represented as the defenders (arrows) of their parents in war, and in litigation.Read the comment
Topics related to Psalms 127:4
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Psalms 127
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- The Treasury of David
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
Commentaries