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 Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed against me.

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

3 The plowers plowed upon my back: they made long their furrows.

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

4 The LORD is righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked.

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

5 Let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Zion.

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.

6 Let them be as the grass upon the housetops, which withereth afore it groweth up:

7 Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand; nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom.

8 Neither do they which go by say, The blessing of the LORD be upon you: we bless you in the name of the LORD.