1291 A Song of the Ascents. Often they distressed me from my youth, Pray, let Israel say: 2 Often they distressed me from my youth, Yet they have not prevailed over me. 3 Over my back have ploughers ploughed, They have made long their furrows. 4 Jehovah 'is' righteous, He hath cut asunder cords of the wicked.
5 Confounded and turn backward do all hating Zion. 6 They are as grass of the roofs, That before it was drawn out withereth, 7 That hath not filled the hand of a reaper, And the bosom of a binder of sheaves. 8 And the passers by have not said, 'The blessing of Jehovah 'is' on you, We blessed you in the Name of Jehovah!'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 129:1-16
Commentary on Psalm 129:1-4
(Read Psalm 129:1-4)
The enemies of God's people have very barbarously endeavoured to wear out the saints of the Most High. But the church has been always graciously delivered. Christ has built his church upon a rock. And the Lord has many ways of disabling wicked men from doing the mischief they design against his church. The Lord is righteous in not suffering Israel to be ruined; he has promised to preserve a people to himself.
Commentary on Psalm 129:5-8
(Read Psalm 129:5-8)
While God's people shall flourish as the loaded palm-tree, or the green and fruitful olive, their enemies shall wither as the grass upon the house-tops, which in eastern countries are flat, and what grows there never ripens; so it is with the designs of God's enemies. No wise man will pray the Lord to bless these mowers or reapers. And when we remember how Jesus arose and reigns; how his people have been supported, like the burning but unconsumed bush, we shall not fear.