The Meaning of Psalms 127:3 Explained

Psalms 127:3

KJV: Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

YLT: Lo, an inheritance of Jehovah are sons, A reward is the fruit of the womb.

Darby: Lo, children are an inheritance from Jehovah, and the fruit of the womb a reward.

ASV: Lo, children are a heritage of Jehovah; And the fruit of the womb is his reward.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Lo, children  [are] an heritage  of the LORD:  [and] the fruit  of the womb  [is his] reward. 

What does Psalms 127:3 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalms 127:1-5 - "the Lord Hath Done Great Things For Us"
The circumstances under which this psalm was written are evident upon its face. The exiles, lately back from Babylon, are rejoicing in the gladness of their return. But their joy was not complete so long as the larger portion of their nation were still in bondage. The metaphor of streams in the South is derived from the rapidity with which dry water-courses become flushed with torrent streams. The returned exiles longed to see the vacant solitudes of their land suddenly filled with returning crowds. They asked that their tears might be the seeds of mighty harvests. Let not the Christian worker count as lost the seeds he sows or the tears in which he steeps them. That doubtless is God's guarantee.
Psalms 127:1-5
This psalm was probably suggested by Ezra's efforts to rebuild the Temple. We cannot succeed apart from God, but must be His fellow-workers. See Proverbs 10:22. The bread of trouble is that which is hardly obtained, where labor is severe, and the results slow. Beware of needless anxiety. As builders, Psalms 127:1, look to God for plan, materials, and co-operation. As watchers, Psalms 127:1, commit all keeping to God's watch and ward. As toilers, Psalms 127:2, have a little more quiet rest and ease of mind. As parents, Psalms 127:3-5, do not shrink from parental responsibilities; when you are old, your children will answer for you. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 127

1  The virtue of God's blessing
3  Good children are his gift

What do the individual words in Psalms 127:3 mean?

Behold a heritage from Yahweh children [are] [is] a reward the fruit of the womb
הִנֵּ֤ה נַחֲלַ֣ת יְהוָ֣ה בָּנִ֑ים שָׂ֝כָ֗ר פְּרִ֣י הַבָּֽטֶן

הִנֵּ֤ה  Behold 
Parse: Interjection
Root: הִנֵּה  
Sense: behold, lo, see, if.
נַחֲלַ֣ת  a  heritage  from 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular construct
Root: נַחֲלָה  
Sense: possession, property, inheritance, heritage.
יְהוָ֣ה  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
בָּנִ֑ים  children  [are] 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: בֵּן 
Sense: son, grandson, child, member of a group.
שָׂ֝כָ֗ר  [is]  a  reward 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: שָׂכָר  
Sense: hire, wages.
פְּרִ֣י  the  fruit 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: פְּרִי  
Sense: fruit.
הַבָּֽטֶן  of  the  womb 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: בֶּטֶן  
Sense: belly, womb, body.