Psalm 127:4

Verse 4. Children of the youth are arrows in the hand, which, with prudence, may be directed aright to the mark, God's glory, and the service of their generation; but afterwards, when they are gone abroad in the world, they are arrows out of the hand; it is too late to bend them then. But these "arrows in the hand" too often prove arrows in the heart, a constant grief to their godly parents, whose grey hairs they bring with sorrow to the grave. --Matthew Henry.

Verse 4. Children of the youth. Sons of youth, i.e., born while their parents are still young. See Genesis 37:2 Isaiah 54:6 . The allusion is not only to their rigour Genesis 49:3 , but the value of their aid to the parent in declining age. --Joseph Addison Alexander.

Verse 4. Children of the youth. If the right interpretation is commonly given to this phrase, this Psalm greatly encourages early marriages. It is a growing evil of modern times that marriages are so often deferred till it is highly improbable that in the course of nature the father can live to mould his offspring to habits of honour and virtue. --William Swan Plumer (1802-1880), in "Studies in the Book of Psalms."

HINTS FOR PASTORS AND LAYPERSONS

Verse 4. The spiritual uses of children.

Verse 6. "The Reward of Well doing Sure." Sermon by Henry Melvill, in "The Pulpit", 1856,