What Does Psalm 127:3-5 Actually Mean?
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The Bible includes great wisdom for all aspects of practical living, including things such as children and parenting. Psalm 127:3-5 is a key passage:
“Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.”
These valuable truths are just as relevant today as when they were written, likely around 536 BC.
What Do These Three Verses Mean?
Psalm 127 is one of fifteen songs of ascent Jews sang on their journeys to Jerusalem. It contains a beautiful description (vv. 3-5) about the importance of children in Jewish heritage.
Most people believe Solomon was the author of these words; others believe the psalm was composed by David for Solomon. Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines (1 Kings 11:3) and likely knew few of his descendants personally, but the principles he taught about children, wisdom from God, are still true.
The thrust of this psalm is the importance of God’s active involvement in His people’s lives. Two examples are given of building and protecting. Unless God builds a house, Solomon said, builders’ efforts are fruitless. Unless He watches over a city, the guards will stand their watch in vain, easy prey to enemies. Old Testament believers referred to a family as a “house,” or a “household.” Solomon’s examples introduce God’s work in building and protecting the foundations of society, the family.
Charles Spurgeon called Psalm 127 “The Builder’s Psalm.” Pointing out the similarity between the Hebrew words for sons (banim) and builders (bonim). Spurgeon said, “We are here taught that builders of houses and cities, systems and fortunes, empires and churches all labor in vain without the Lord; but under the divine favor they enjoy perfect rest. Sons, who are in the Hebrew called ‘builders,’ are set forth as building up families under the same divine blessing, to the great honor and happiness of their parents.”
The psalmist understood that while man might labor hard in creating a strong family unit, doing everything possible to maintain and guard it, God is the ultimate builder, supplier, and protector. Without His work and blessing, families can quickly crumble. It’s a truth still understood today. For example, the motto on the coat of arms and crest in Edinburgh, Scotland — appearing in the Latin as Nisi Dominus Frustra — means “Except the Lord in vain,” a shortened version of Psalm 127:1.
Psalm 127:2 adds context. Rising early or skipping sleep at night to store up food is pointless, an inferior way to live, if it’s all about human effort. Solomon knew how to construct a house and protect a city, and he notes that while workmen who are diligent and watchmen who stay awake are both needed, when God is forgotten, all their hard work is “in vain,” futile. Then Solomon transitions to a lesson about child-bearing and parenting.
Why Are Children Called a ‘Heritage from the Lord’?
In a society that increasingly views children as burdens or inconvenient disruptions rather than treasures to be appreciated and desired, the idea that children are a blessing sent from God is counter-cultural. Solomon said children are “a heritage” and “reward” from the Lord (v. 3). In various Scripture translations, the words “blessing,” “gift,” “birthright,” and “inheritance” are used instead of “heritage.”
The word “inheritance” is especially meaningful. An inheritance is not the fruit of a person’s own labors, but is rather a gift from a loving father. Children are not the fruit of chance, but rather the “fruit of the womb” from God, a gift of providence. In ancient homes, children brought prestige, protection, and provision, and were a cushion against loneliness and abandonment.
The word “reward” (v. 3) is not a reward in the sense of getting something that’s deserved, but rather, getting something that’s not deserved. All children — whether biological or adopted, whether born to believers or non-believers — are gifts of God’s grace, goodness, and kindness.
What Is God’s Perspective on Child-Bearing?
Dr. John MacArthur wrote, “You can’t be the parent God wants you to be if you don’t see the children He’s given you the way He sees them.” Children are meant to bless and bring joy. They are, MacArthur said, “tokens of God’s lovingkindness.” They are not a burden or penalty; they are an outpouring of God’s favor.
Some people believe having children is part of “the curse” of sin entering the world. They say children are not a blessing because of God’s statement to Eve after the Fall — that she would have multiplied pain in the birthing process (Genesis 3:16). But God never said having children was part of the curse. His command to the first couple to “be fruitful and increase in number” was before the Fall; and after the Fall, God worked through a line of descendants to set a plan of redemption in place.
Though a child is born through earthly parents, they are still “from the Lord” and belong to Him. Biblically, no one has the right to take a child’s life, to destroy what God has given, before or after birth. Children are of great value to God from the moment of conception — and even before (see Jeremiah 1:5). Those who practice abortion ignore the value of life in the womb. God cherishes each child, unborn and born, because each one is created in His image.
Though children are gifts, God trusts parents with their care. God expects parents to value their children, generously love and forgive them, teach them Bible-based spiritual and moral truth, model the highest principles for living, develop their character and individual personalities, and pray for them.
Perspective on child-bearing is illustrated through several Bible characters. Adam made love to Eve and she became pregnant with Cain, but she acknowledged that God provided her with the child (Genesis 4:1). Hannah’s womb was “closed,” but after she begged for a child, God gave her Samuel (1 Samuel 1:20). When Rachel was childless, she demanded of Jacob, “Give me children, or I’ll die” (Genesis 30:1). He no doubt wanted children as well, be Jacob had a bigger picture of what was happening, responding rhetorically, “Am I in the place of God, who has kept you from having children?” (30:2) Rachel later did give birth. God listened to her and God opened her womb (30:22).
In God’s providence, some heartbroken couples cannot have children. Sometimes God intervenes and couples do eventually have children. Other times, He comforts the brokenhearted, encourages them, and uses them powerfully in His sovereign plans. God loves His children equally and fully, but chooses to bestow blessings in various ways. Many faithful Christ-followers are single with no children, or married but childless, but they may have numerous “spiritual children” they mentor or disciple.
Why Are Children Described as ‘Arrows’ in Verse Four?
In verse four, children born in one’s youth — in the parent’s prime and vigor of life — are compared to arrows. Some take this metaphor to mean children are launched out into the world. Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth wrote, “The picture here is of a battle, a battlefield. We see that our children, our young people, our sons and our daughters, are ammunition. They are arrows in that battle. They’re not intended to stay in the quiver. Rather, they are to be released, to be sent out into the culture, to be sent out into our world to pierce and to penetrate the world around us.”
Others believe the verses refer to family security. The psalmist envisions an aging father surrounded by strong, grown sons. Together, they form a shield of protection for the father when he ages and for others in the family. The larger the family in Israeli culture, the less vulnerable the family was to abuse by enemies.
The imagery of children as arrows is also instructive. Children need to be properly prepared. They need much shaping and guidance to become adults who love and fear God. Like arrows, they must be skillfully shaped (faithfully discipled), guided with strength (subjected to wise parental control), carefully formed to fly straight (taught morality and good sense), and aimed with purpose (given clear direction).
Does Verse Five Mean Christians Should Have Large Families?
A quiver (verse 5) is a sheath or casing for carrying arrows, part of a warrior’s equipment. A man is blessed (happy) when his “quiver” is full of arrows, Solomon says. In ancient history, a quiver held many arrows, generally ranging from 12 to 24; but warriors could carry as many as 60 arrows in a single quiver or spread out in several quivers. Today, archers’ quivers average 10 arrows; but the point is, a quiver does not need to be large — it can be small, yet full.
The Bible doesn’t command married couples to have a particular number of children. There also aren’t commands about when children should be conceived. The mandate was “be fruitful and multiply,” and indeed, one of the primary purposes of marriage is child-bearing and the creation of a family. But that does not mean all married couples must have children. Every couple should consider having children with sincere prayer, surrender to God, and mutual consent.
If a couple does intend to have children, how many “arrows” should be in their quiver? In the Quiverfull Movement, Christians believe married couples should abstain from using contraception and pursue having large families. They believe they are safeguarding the growth of the church and the culture as well. But Psalm 127:5 cannot be taken as a blanket command for the movement’s mandates.
God did promise to bless the Hebrew people with many descendants as part of His covenant with them (Genesis 15:5-6; 28:14). In the New Testament, the emphasis is on bringing up children “in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4), not on the number of children one has. In ancient times, having a large number of children might mean greater security and protection, as well as provision and prestige. Today, especially in Western culture, that is not as necessary.
What Does the Word ‘Court’ Signify in Verse Five?
Solomon continues, “They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.” This puzzling phrase likely means that a father will not be put to shame when his children speak with the father’s enemies in the public square.
Although the word “court” is used in some translations, other versions use the words “gate of the city,” or “gates of the city.” The ancient “court” at the gate was a place of business and justice where people conducted commerce, met with accusers, and, in the case of feuding families, argued with opponents. The children of the godly cultivated places of prominence and influence in their communities, and what they said carried weight at the city gate. They were expected to fend off attacks on the family.
Children were also trained to speak on behalf of elderly parents and care for them for as long as they lived. This was one way to honor parents — a concept continuing into the New Testament (Ephesians 6:2-3; 1 Timothy 5:4).
How Does This Passage Encourage Us Today?
In Psalm 127, Solomon expressed his ideal for the culture and home in regard to children. He recognized the important role of families in building the structure of prosperous societies with spiritual and moral strength.
We can be encouraged that Father God cares deeply about children and the family. The psalm is a reminder to seek Him for wisdom in navigating choices related to parenting because our homes will not be strong “unless the Lord” is involved.
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