Psalms 127:3
What does Psalms 127:3 mean?
A plain-English look at Psalms 127:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Psalms 127:3 means
Psalm 127:3 declares children to be a divine gift, emphasizing their origin and value as blessings from God. The term "heritage" signifies an inheritance or possession of great worth, highlighting that children are not merely products of human reproduction but precious endowments from the Creator. "Fruit of the womb" beautifully illustrates the natural outcome of marital union, yet attributes this outcome directly to God's benevolent provision. This verse counters any notion that children are burdens or accidents, instead elevating them to the status of a divine reward, a testament to God's active involvement in human life and His generosity towards families.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Lo, children are a heritage of Jehovah; Andthe fruit of the womb ishisreward.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Lo, children are a heritage of Jehovah; Andthe fruit of the womb ishisreward.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949See, sons are a heritage from the Lord; the fruit of the body is his reward.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Lo, an inheritance of Jehovah <FI>are<Fi> sons, A reward <FI>is<Fi> the fruit of the womb.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Thy wife as a fruitful vine, on the sides of thy house. Thy children as olive plants, round about thy table.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Lo, children are an inheritance from Jehovah, [and] the fruit of the womb a reward.
Context
Psalm 127 is a "Song of Ascents," likely sung by pilgrims journeying to Jerusalem. The immediate context of this verse within Psalm 127 is a reflection on the futility of human effort without divine blessing. Verses 1-2 highlight that building a house or watching over a city is in vain unless the Lord is involved. Verse 3, with its focus on children, follows this theme by presenting the blessing of offspring as another area where human endeavor is dependent on God. The subsequent verses (4-5) continue this familial theme, comparing children to arrows in a warrior's hand, illustrating their strength and purpose in life.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Genesis 15:4
And, behold, the word of Jehovah came unto him, saying, This man shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.
- Genesis 1:28
And God blessed them: and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the heavens, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
- 1 Samuel 1:27
For this child I prayed; and Jehovah hath given me my petition which I asked of him:
- Genesis 41:51
And Joseph called the name of the first-born Manasseh: For, said he, God hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house.
- Genesis 33:5
And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, Who are these with thee? And he said, The children whom God hath graciously given thy servant.
- Genesis 30:1
And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and she said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die.
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