The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head.
The verse honors what belongs to each time of life, setting strength as the glory and distinction of young men and the gray head as the beauty of old men. The strength that is the young man's glory includes physical strength, understood as bodily health and ability rather than merely conspicuous muscles or feats of lifting. When rightly used, that strength is a fitting cause for youthful joy.
In the Christian life this strength is not boastful display but quiet power to endure and act faithfully, shown by young people in whom God's word abides as they overcome the wicked one. This strength is first received from God through humility and faith, then spent in service to others, and it grows through use. Accounts of faithful people in Scripture help build it when they move readers to energetic action, so receiving and using strength in turn increases strength.
The gray head is beautiful in old age, like snow and a temporal crown that gives way to an eternal crown in heaven, so old age can be welcomed as a season of rest and consolation. Gray hair and old age are beautiful and majestic when accompanied by God's peace, and the years bring wisdom and wiser counsel, so older people should not be discounted or despised.
The verse honors what belongs to each time of life, setting strength as the glory and distinction of young men and the gray head as the beauty of old men. The strength that is the young man's glory includes physical strength, understood as bodily health and ability rather than merely conspicuous muscles or feats of lifting. When rightly used, that strength is a fitting cause for youthful joy.
In the Christian life this strength is not boastful display but quiet power to endure and act faithfully, shown by young people in whom God's word abides as they overcome the wicked one. This strength is first received from God through humility and faith, then spent in service to others, and it grows through use. Accounts of faithful people in Scripture help build it when they move readers to energetic action, so receiving and using strength in turn increases strength.
The gray head is beautiful in old age, like snow and a temporal crown that gives way to an eternal crown in heaven, so old age can be welcomed as a season of rest and consolation. Gray hair and old age are beautiful and majestic when accompanied by God's peace, and the years bring wisdom and wiser counsel, so older people should not be discounted or despised.