Psalm 129:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Let them be like the grass on the housetops, which withers before it grows up,

NIV: May they be like grass on the roof, which withers before it can grow;

NASB: May they be like grass upon the housetops, Which withers before it grows up;

CSB: Let them be like grass on the rooftops, which withers before it grows up

NLT: May they be as useless as grass on a rooftop, turning yellow when only half grown,

KJV: Let them be as the grass upon the housetops, which withereth afore it groweth up:

NKJV: Let them be as the grass on the housetops, Which withers before it grows up,

Weeds exist in virtually every climate. They seem to grow in every conceivable place. In ancient Israel, roofs were not usually made of smooth, hard surfaces. Wood, mud, straw, and other materials gave grass a place to grow. But those are not good soil, so before long the sun and heat kill whatever is growing there. The psalmist hopes this will happen to those who hate Israel (Psalm 129:5). This request makes this one of the "imprecatory" psalms. While most imprecations are similar to these (Psalms 17:13; 35:4–6), some are far more aggressive (Psalm 58:6–9; 137:8–9).

Disagreement is not hatred. It is possible to love God's people while declaring their actions wrong. But true hatred for Israel is ultimately satanic. The "god of this world" (2 Corinthians 4:4) has used antisemitism to great effect. In the end times, this will continue. Fortunately, Satan's efforts will ultimately gain him nothing but torment in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:1–3, 7–10).

Isaiah used the same imagery in relating God's prophecy against one of Israel's attackers (Isaiah 37:27). Jesus offered a famous parable about seeds and soils. Roofs in Jerusalem would have been like the rocky ground of His analogy (Matthew 13:5–6).

Psalm 129:5–8 contains an "imprecatory" prayer, which asks for harm on an enemy. The nation is symbolized as Zion (2 Samuel 5:7; 1 Kings 8:1) which itself represents the capital city of Israel. The psalmist wishes disgrace and defeat on those who hate Israel. He even rejects using common greetings that mention God's blessings when dealing with such persons.

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.