Psalm 129
BSB
The Cords of the Wicked
A song of ascents.
1Many a time they have persecuted me from my youth—
let Israel now declare—
2many a time they have persecuted me from my youth,
but they have not prevailed against me.
3The plowmen plowed over my back;
they made their furrows long.
4The LORD is righteous;
He has cut me from the cords of the wicked.
5May all who hate Zion
be turned back in shame.
6May they be like grass on the rooftops,
which withers before it can grow,
7unable to fill the hands of the reaper,
or the arms of the binder of sheaves.
8May none who pass by say to them,
“The blessing of the LORD be on you;
we bless you in the name of the LORD.”
Introduction
Psalms 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. I. They look back with thankfulness for the former deliverances God had wrought for them and their fathers out of the many distresses they had been in from time to time (Psa 129:1-4). II. They look forward with a believing prayer for and a prospect of the destruction of all the enemies of Zion (Psa 129:5-8). 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.
Cross-references: Ps 129:1 · Ps 129:5