Psalms 127:4

Sons born during one’s youth are like arrows in a warrior’s hand. ¹ 

Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one’s youth.

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth.

Children born to a young man are like sharp arrows in a warrior’s hands.

Like a warrior's fistful of arrows are the children of a vigorous youth.

Like arrows in the hand of a man of war, are the children of the young.

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

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth.

Sons born during one’s youth are like arrows in a warrior’s hand. ¹ 

¹ tn Heb “like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so [are] sons of youth.” Arrows are used in combat to defend oneself against enemies; sons are viewed here as providing social security and protection (see v. 5). The phrase “sons of youth” is elliptical, meaning “sons [born during the father’s] youth.” Such sons will have grown up to be mature adults and will have children of their own by the time the father reaches old age and becomes vulnerable to enemies. Contrast the phrase “son of old age” in Gen 37:3 (see also 44:20), which refers to Jacob’s age when Joseph was born.