Psalm 129
Reflection on Past Sorrows and Deliverance
Reflection on Past Sorrows and Deliverance
Psalm 129. This is a Psalm of reflection. Psalm 129 gives us restored Israel reflecting on their past sorrows and deliverances, as well as that which they felt from their enemies, and their exercises of soul.
PSALM 129
A Song of degrees.
1 Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth — oh let Israel say —
2 Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth; yet they have not prevailed against me.
3 The ploughers ploughed upon my back; they made long their furrows.
vv.1-3 Reflecting on Past Sorrows. The “they” in v.1, v.2, and v.3 would be the various methods of correction that God has used on the nation of Israel, especially the Assyrian. What might be especially in view is the first attack by the king of the north.
4 Jehovah is righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked.
5 Let them be ashamed and turned backward, all that hate Zion;
6 Let them be as the grass upon the house-tops, which withereth before it is plucked up,
7 Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand, nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom;
8 Neither do the passers-by say, The blessing of Jehovah be upon you; we bless you in the name of Jehovah!
vv.4-8 Confidence in Jehovah. If v.4 is past deliverances, then vv.5-8 is preservation from remaining enemies. The ground of Israel’s confidence is that “Jehovah is righteous”.