Psa 127:4 | MHM | STEP | v. 4. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. 2. Children are not only a good gift but a great support and defence to a family. The comparison is exact and instructive: as arrows are in the hand of a mighty man, who knows how to use them for his own safety and advantage, so are children of the youth —that is, children born to their parents when they are young, who are the strongest and most healthful children, and who are grown up and ready to serve by the time their parents need their service. 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 have gone abroad into the world, they are arrows out of the hand; it is then too late to bend them. While they are yet in the hand, parents and teachers may train and aim them; once loosed, they fly as they have been set. And yet, we must add this solemn word: these arrows in the hand too often prove arrows in the heart—a constant grief to their godly parents, whose gray hairs they bring with sorrow to the grave.

‏ Psalms 127:4

v. 4. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. 2. Children are not only a good gift but a great support and defence to a family. The comparison is exact and instructive: as arrows are in the hand of a mighty man, who knows how to use them for his own safety and advantage, so are children of the youth—that is, children born to their parents when they are young, who are the strongest and most healthful children, and who are grown up and ready to serve by the time their parents need their service. 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 have gone abroad into the world, they are arrows out of the hand; it is then too late to bend them. While they are yet in the hand, parents and teachers may train and aim them; once loosed, they fly as they have been set. And yet, we must add this solemn word: these arrows in the hand too often prove arrows in the heart—a constant grief to their godly parents, whose gray hairs they bring with sorrow to the grave.