Psalms 129

Chapter Overview

What happens in Psalms 129

A Song of Ascents reflecting on Israel's long history of suffering. Their enemies have plowed furrows on their backs, but the Lord has cut them free. Those who hate Zion will wither like grass on a rooftop.

Scripture

Oppressed Since Youth

Study note

Israel has been greatly oppressed since its youth. Enemies plowed long furrows on their backs. But the Lord is righteous and has cut them free from the ropes of the wicked.

1 From the time I was young, my enemies have beaten me down again and again. Everyone in Israel, say it with me -- Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth, may Israel now say:

2 from the time I was young, my enemies have beaten me down again and again, but they could never finish me off. Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed against me.

3 They plowed deep cuts across my back, leaving long, painful scars. The plowers plowed upon my back: they made long their furrows.

4 But the LORD does what is right — he cut the ropes those wicked people tied around me. The LORD is righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked.

May Zion's Enemies Wither

Study note

May all who hate Zion be turned back in shame. May they be like grass on a rooftop that withers before it can grow. No passerby will say to them, 'The blessing of the Lord be on you.'

5 Let everyone who hates Zion be driven backward in disgrace. Let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Zion.

6 Let them be like thin grass that sprouts on a flat rooftop and dries up before it can grow. Let them be as the grass upon the housetops, which withereth afore it groweth up:

7 No one gathering a harvest ever fills their hands with it. No one bundling grain ever fills their arms. Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand; nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom.

8 And the people passing by never say to them, 'May the LORD bless you! We send blessings your way in the LORD's name.' Neither do they which go by say, The blessing of the LORD be upon you: we bless you in the name of the LORD.

Key Themes

Themes in Psalms 129

Oppressed since youth but not destroyedGod cuts the cords of the wickedEnemies who will wither like grass on a rooftopResilience through generations of suffering

Apply This Today

Living Psalms 129

Israel had been oppressed since its youth, yet never destroyed. If you have been fighting battles your whole life, take courage: opposition is not the same as defeat. God has been cutting the cords of the wicked throughout history, and He will do it again for you. You are still standing because he is still fighting.

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