Psalms 127:3

3 Sons are indeed a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.

Psalms 127:3 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 127:3

Lo, children [are] an heritage of the Lord
As all success, safety, and the blessings of life, depend on the providence of God; so this very great blessing is a gift of his; having children, and those good ones, as the Targum interprets it; for of such only can it be understood: so, in a spiritual sense, the children of Christ, the antitypical Solomon, are the gifts of his heavenly Father to him; his portion and inheritance, and a goodly heritage he esteems them;

[and] the fruit of the womb [is his] reward;
"fruit" ^F25 is the same with "children" in the preceding clause; see ( Luke 1:42 ) ; a reward he gives to good men, not of debt, but of grace; the Targum,

``a reward of good works:''

so regenerate persons are a reward to Christ, of his sufferings and death, ( Isaiah 53:10 Isaiah 53:11 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F25 "Nascitur ad fructum mulier", Claudian. in Eutrop. l. 1. v. 331.

Psalms 127:3 In-Context

1 Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord guards the city, the guard keeps watch in vain.

2 It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives sleep to his beloved.

3 Sons are indeed a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.

4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the sons of one's youth.

5 Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them. He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.