Ps 129:1-8. The people of God, often delivered from enemies, are confident of His favor, by their overthrow in the future.

1, 2. may Israel now say—or, "oh! let Israel say" (Ps 124:1). Israel's youth was the sojourn in Egypt (Jer 2:2; Ho 2:15).

2. prevailed—literally, "been able," that is, to accomplish their purpose against me (Ps 13:4).

3, 4. The ploughing is a figure of scourging, which most severe physical infliction aptly represents all kinds.

4. the cords—that is, which fasten the plough to the ox; and cutting denotes God's arresting the persecution;

5, 6. The ill-rooted roof grass, which withers before it grows up and procures for those gathering it no harvest blessing (Ru 2:4), sets forth the utter uselessness and the rejection of the wicked.