PSALM 129

Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth, may Israel now say: Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed against me. The plowers plowed upon my back: they made long their furrows. The LORD is righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked. Let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Zion. 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. Psalm 129, KJV)

Psalm 129

Cast Down, but Not Destroyed

Nations look to their achievements,
But Israel reflects on her suffering.
Hated, persecuted, expelled,
Pursued and murdered, but survives.

The Cantor expresses two facts: Sore
Affliction and wonderful deliverance.
They were oppressed by Egypt,
By godless nations, and captivity.

God, being faithful to His covenant,
Delivered the psalmist “Setting him free
from the cords of the wicked.” And the
Plot and the plotters reap no joy.

Their harvest will be like “Grass on
The roof which  withers.” Israel will
Not pray for God to bless the haters
Of Zion, nor should we.

“Plowmen have plowed my back and made
their furrows long.”  This also describes,
Jesus, the Messiah, and the suffering
Of his followers.

“He was pierced for our transgressions,
 he was crushed for our iniquities.”  But
He lives and “reigns  for ever and ever.”
Kingdoms have come under Christ.

(c) Rex H. Henderson 2003

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