1 > Many times they have afflicted me from my youth up. Let Israel now say,
2 Many times they have afflicted me from my youth up, Yet they have not prevailed against me.
3 The plowers plowed on my back. They made their furrows long.
4 Yahweh is righteous. He has cut apart the cords of the wicked.
5 Let them be disappointed and turned backward, All those who hate Zion.
6 Let them be as the grass on the housetops, Which withers before it grows up;
7 With which the reaper doesn't fill his hand, Nor he who binds sheaves, his bosom.
8 Neither do those who go by say, "The blessing of Yahweh be on you. We bless you in the name of Yahweh."
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 129
Commentary on Psalms 129 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 129
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.