Psalm 129: Awareness of enemies

A song of ascents.

[Preliminary Comments: In this tenth short psalm of ascents, is a simple memory that the people of God had suffered opposition throughout their history [v.1-3], but God had been there for them again and again [v.4]. Righteousness demands that those who oppose God’s people therefore come under His judgment [v.5-8]. A psalm of awareness.]

v.1-3 Israel’s history was one of opposition by neighbors

v.1 ‘They have greatly oppressed me from my youth,’
    let Israel say;
v.2 ‘they have greatly oppressed me from my youth,
    but they have not gained the victory over me.
v.3 Ploughmen have ploughed my back
    and made their furrows long.

v.4 But God in His goodness delivered them from their wicked neighbors

v.4 But the Lord is righteous;
    he has cut me free from the cords of the wicked.’

v.5-8 May those who oppose Jerusalem be judged accordingly

v.5 May [i] all who hate Zion
    be turned back in shame.
v.6 May [ii] they be like grass on the roof,
    which withers before it can grow;
v.7 a reaper cannot fill his hands with it,
    nor one who gathers fill his arms.
v.8 May [iii] those who pass by not say to them,
    ‘The blessing of the Lord be on you;
    we bless you in the name of the Lord.’

[Additional Comments: The history of Israel originated in servitude, involved opposition in moving to their divine destination, and taking possession of it, and then experienced opposition from ungodly neighbors again and again. This psalm simply recognizes their experience in history – opposed but supported by God, God who will deal with those enemies.

After perhaps going back and meditating on individual verses, now read it meaningfully out loud straight through

1 ‘They have greatly oppressed me from my youth,’
    let Israel say;
2 ‘they have greatly oppressed me from my youth,
    but they have not gained the victory over me.
3 Ploughmen have ploughed my back
    and made their furrows long.
4 But the Lord is righteous;
    he has cut me free from the cords of the wicked.’

5 May all who hate Zion
    be turned back in shame.
6 May they be like grass on the roof,
    which withers before it can grow;
7 a reaper cannot fill his hands with it,
    nor one who gathers fill his arms.
8 May those who pass by not say to them,
    ‘The blessing of the Lord be on you;
    we bless you in the name of the Lord.’

For those who may wish to make a study of this chapter, to perhaps think some more about what you have been reading, use the link below: