Psalm 129:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: "Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth" — let Israel now say —

NIV: A song of ascents. "They have greatly oppressed me from my youth," let Israel say;

NASB: 'Many times they have attacked me from my youth up,' Let Israel say,

CSB: A song of ascents. Since my youth they have often attacked me— let Israel say—

NLT: From my earliest youth my enemies have persecuted me. Let all Israel repeat this:

KJV: A Song of degrees. Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth, may Israel now say:

NKJV: {Song of Ascents.} “Many a time they have afflicted me from my youth,” Let Israel now say—

The psalmist seems to have a history of being persecuted. This will soon be extended (Psalm 129:2) to describe the experiences of the nation of Israel (Exodus 1:8–14; Judges 2:16–19; 2 Chronicles 36:17–21). The psalmist will note that God's power prevented persecution from ending in annihilation (Psalm 129:4). He will pray for his enemies to experience disgrace and defeat (Psalm 129:5–8).

Even in the modern Christian church, persecution shouldn't surprise the Lord's people. Jesus predicted, "In the world you will have tribulation" (John 16:33). The apostle Paul assured young Timothy that "all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Timothy 3:12). Paul experienced intense persecution as he preached the gospel from town to town. An angry mob stoned him at Lystra, dragged him outside the city, and left him there, supposing that he was dead (Acts 14:19). At Philippi, he and Silas were arrested, beaten, and thrown into prison (Acts 16:16–24). Second Corinthians 11:23–27 lists sufferings Paul endured for the sake of the gospel. Nevertheless, Jesus said, "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:10).

Psalm 129:1–4 looks back on persecution and hardship. Both the psalmist and the nation of Israel have a history of being victimized (Exodus 1:8–14; Judges 2:16–19; 2 Chronicles 36:17–21). This is compared to the way fields are plowed with long, ongoing channels torn into the soil. Yet the Lord did not allow this to last forever; those bindings were cut so Israel could live on (Ezra 2:1).

The psalmist reflects on the nation of Israel, which has always been persecuted and attacked (Exodus 1:8–14; Judges 2:16–19; 2 Chronicles 36:17–21). Despite this, God preserved the people (Jeremiah 29:12–14; Ezra 2:1). This psalm includes a prayer that those who despise Israel—identified with Mount Zion (2 Samuel 5:7; 1 Kings 8:1)—would be defeated (Genesis 12:1–3). The psalmist sees no reason to offer them God's blessing, even in a casual greeting.

This is one of the songs "of ascents" and is also identified as an imprecatory psalm (Psalms 5; 10; 17; 35; 58; 59; 69; 70; 79; 83; 109; 137; 140). It looks back on Israel's history of suffering and prays for defeat and humiliation for their enemies. Many of these songs "of ascents" (Psalms 120—134) were composed after the people returned from exile in Babylon (2 Chronicles 36:17–21; Ezra 2:1). The nation had also been afflicted by others (Judges 2:16–19; 2 Chronicles 28:18; Ezekiel 25:12), since their earliest days (Exodus 1:8–14; 17:8). Yet God preserved the people through hard times (Jeremiah 29:12–14).

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.