Reflections on Psalms 129

 Psalms 129(Contemporary English Version)

1. (A song for worship.) Since the time I was young, enemies have often attacked! Let everyone in Israel say:
   
2. "Since the time I was young, enemies have often attacked! But they have not defeated me,
   
3. though my back is like a field that has just been plowed."
   
4. The LORD always does right, and he has set me free from the ropes of those cruel people.
   
5. I pray that all who hate the city of Zion will be made ashamed and forced to turn and run.
   
6. May they be like grass on the flat roof of a house, grass that dries up as soon as it sprouts.
   
7. Don't let them be like wheat gathered in bundles.
   
8. And don't let anyone who passes by say to them, "The LORD bless you! I give you my blessing in the name of the LORD."

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There have been few periods in Israel's history in which she was not the victim of Anti–Semitism. It is not surprising, therefore, that this theme is found among the pilgrimage psalms. There are two parts to the psalm: thankfulness for God's deliverance in the past and prayer for retribution on her enemies.

Israel's enemies had often attack her and had been cruel as if a plowman had plowed furrows down their backs. But her enemies had never prevailed against her. This is because the righteous Lord "has cut the ropes of the wicked." (129:4) Though they were God's chosen people, they were not immune to hardship. But God did keep the hardships from prevailing against them which is also true for us. Though we would like to be free from hardship and sometimes blame God for allowing it, we must remember that God promises to take us through hardship not keep us from it. In God's wisdom He knows this to be better for us than to be exempt from hardship.

But though we have God's help to prevail against hardship, we want justice for those who are responsible for those hardships. And this was Israel's prayer: "Let all who hate Zion be driven back in disgrace." (129:5) Furthermore, she prayed that God would make them like "grass on the rooftops." (129:6) Grass that grew on the flat rooftops of Middle Eastern houses had no depth of soil so it was soon scorched by the hot sun and withered. It had no chance to grow to any sizable amount and certainly not so it could be reaped. It did not warrant a blessing by those who passed by. This is what Israel wished for her enemies. May they not prosper but instead may they wither away and be gone. Certainly may no one say a blessing on them.