4 Jehovah `is' righteous, He hath cut asunder cords of the wicked.
`O Jehovah, God of Israel, righteous `art' Thou, for we have been left an escape, as `it is' this day; lo, we `are' before Thee in our guilt, for there is none to stand before Thee concerning this.'
and Thou `art' righteous concerning all that hath come upon us, for truth Thou hast done, and we have done wickedly;
Blessed `is' Jehovah who hath not given us, A prey to their teeth. Our soul as a bird hath escaped from a snare of fowlers, The snare was broken, and we have escaped.
The proud hid a snare for me -- and cords, They spread a net by the side of the path, Snares they have set for me. Selah. I have said to Jehovah, `My God `art' Thou, Hear, Jehovah, the voice of my supplications.' O Jehovah, my Lord, strength of my salvation, Thou hast covered my head in the day of armour. Grant not, O Jehovah, the desires of the wicked, His wicked device bring not forth, They are high. Selah. The chief of my surrounders, The perverseness of their lips covereth them. They cause to fall on themselves burning coals, Into fire He doth cast them, Into deep pits -- they arise not. A talkative man is not established in the earth, One of violence -- evil hunteth to overflowing.
The kindnesses of Jehovah! For we have not been consumed, For not ended have His mercies.
`To Thee, O Lord, `is' the righteousness, and to us the shame of face, as `at' this day, to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to all Israel, who are near, and who are far off, in all the lands whither Thou hast driven them, in their trespass that they have trespassed against Thee.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Psalms 129
Commentary on Psalms 129 Matthew Henry Commentary
Psalm 129
This psalm relates to the public concerns of God's Israel. It is not certain when it was penned, probably when they were in captivity in Babylon, or about the time of their return.
In singing this psalm we may apply it both ways to the Gospel-Israel, which, like the Old-Testament Israel, has weathered many a storm and is still threatened by many enemies.
A song of degrees.
Psa 129:1-4
The church of God, in its several ages, is here spoken of, or, rather, here speaks, as one single person, now old and gray-headed, but calling to remembrance the former days, and reflecting upon the times of old. And, upon the review, it is found,
Psa 129:5-8
The psalmist, having triumphed in the defeat of the many designs that had been laid as deep as hell to ruin the church, here concludes his psalm as Deborah did her song, So let all thy enemies perish, O Lord! Jdg. 5:31.