Children of the youth, &c.— These are opposed to the children of old age; and of these it is frequently observed, that they are the strongest, being, as Jacob says of Reuben, his might, the beginning of his strength; and of such it is here said, they are at arrows in the hands of the mighty Man 1:1 :e. able to defend their parent against the attempts of his enemies, as well as weapons can be. His quiver full of them, means his house as full of children as the quiver of a mighty man is of arrows. They shall speak with the enemies in the gate, means, they shall plead for him against his adversaries, in the courts of judicature; which, as we have frequently remarked, were held at the gates of cities.
REFLECTIONS.—The less we depend on our own schemes, or lean to our own understanding, and the more we look up to God, and seek help and direction from him, the surer will be the prosperity of every work of our hands.
1. Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it. Whatever projects we may conceive for the advancement of ourselves or families; whatever plans we may draw, for rearing up some noble pile for our abode, it is a Babel tower, and the family will be miserable, unless the Lord give his blessing and success. And if in temporals, much more in spirituals, are we bound to depend upon him; the wisest of ministers, and the best of men, cannot square one of the living stones to raise the church of God, unless his power and grace work effectually with them.
2. As vain is the watchman's care. It is not the multitude of guards, or their wakeful vigilance, but a greater Guardian who can preserve the city. The most vigilant and active watchman upon the walls of Zion, cannot prevent the irruption of heretics, and the breaches of ungodliness: this must come from above; nevertheless, he must do his duty as an unworthy instrument.
3. Vain are all our anxious labours, without God's blessing. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows earned by hard toil; all this care, assiduity, and diligence, is fruitless; if God be not regarded, he will disappoint the hopes of the worldly-minded, and mar all their labours. But where honest industry is employed in dependance upon him, so he giveth his beloved sleep, no carking cares disturb the repose of such; they sleep in peace, in the arms of the Divine love, and rise refreshed and happy, to enjoy the new mercies which, with the returning day, are showered upon them.
4. Children are God's gifts. He that formed the first man from the clay, must form each embryo in the womb; and when they are given, from him it comes that these children are our blessings and reward; the most pious parent sees a corrupted offspring, till God, by his grace, converts them, and makes them doubly our comfort and joy.
5. They are happy who have these gifts of God. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man, so are children of the youth, those sprung from parents in the prime of their youth: or who are themselves grown up healthy and strong, able to assist their parents in their declining age. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them; they shall not be ashamed, their ill conduct shall never reflect upon or grieve their parents, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate; their children will be their advocates, and their number and strength, their support and defence. Happy the parent blest with such children! Happy such children as learn thus to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents' labours of love!