The Bible — World English Bible
Psalm 129
In brief
Psalm 129 is a song of ascents, sung by pilgrims going up to Jerusalem. Israel remembers the oppression suffered since its youth, which plowed its back like furrows. But the refrain is clear: they have not prevailed. The Lord is righteous and has cut the cords of the wicked, who are compared to the grass on the rooftops that withers before it can be pulled up.
The chapter in 3 parts
1Many times they have afflicted me from my youth up. Let Israel now say,
2many times they have afflicted me from my youth up, yet they have not prevailed against me.
3The plowers plowed on my back. They made their furrows long.
4Yahweh is righteous. He has cut apart the cords of the wicked.
5Let them be disappointed and turned backward, all those who hate Zion.
6Let them be as the grass on the housetops, which withers before it grows up,
7with which the reaper doesn’t fill his hand, nor he who binds sheaves, his bosom.
8Neither do those who go by say, “The blessing of Yahweh be on you. We bless you in Yahweh’s name.”
Key verses
Many times they have afflicted me from my youth up. Let Israel now say, many times they have afflicted me from my youth up, yet they have not prevailed against me.
The people tell their own story aloud: let Israel now say it. Remembering the trial that was crossed is already a form of praise, because it ends with the words: they have not prevailed against me.
The plowers plowed on my back. They made their furrows long.
The picture of plowers making furrows on a back shows the violence suffered, perhaps slavery or exile. The psalmist does not play down the suffering.
Yahweh is righteous. He has cut apart the cords of the wicked.
The turning point fits in one sentence: the Lord is righteous. He is the one who sets free by cutting the cords that held his people.
Let them be as the grass on the housetops, which withers before it grows up,
Grass growing on flat roofs dries up quickly, for lack of roots. The image describes the fragility of those who oppose God's people.
Test your knowledge
Frequently asked questions about Psalm 129
What does Psalm 129 mean?
Psalm 129 recalls that Israel has suffered much since its youth, but has never been destroyed, because the Lord is righteous. It invites the believer to reread his past in the light of God's faithfulness. The second part wishes defeat on those who hate Zion.
Who wrote Psalm 129?
The text is a song of ascents with no author's name. It belongs to the series of Psalms 120 to 134, sung by pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem. The “I” of the psalm is the whole people, speaking on behalf of each of its members.
How can I pray with Psalm 129?
Reread your story with God. Say aloud the trials that have marked you, then add the words “they have not prevailed against me” along with your reasons for gratitude. Finish by entrusting to God those who have hurt you, without seeking revenge.
World English Bible translation — public domain.