Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 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). 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).
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.
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;
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.
Let them be as the grass upon the housetops, which withereth afore it groweth up:
Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand; nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom.
Neither do they which go by say, The blessing of the LORD be upon you: we bless you in the name of the LORD. |
