The author of Psalm 129 is not known; however, some think it could of been Hezekiah. He shares with us that we can have confidence in times of persecution (ill-treatment).
Psalm 129:1,2 - "They have greatly oppressed me from my youth - let Israel say - they have greatly oppressed me from my youth, but they have not gained the victory over me"
The people of Israel were persecuted from their earliest days, but never destroyed completely. The same is true of the church. Christians have faced times of severe persecution, but the church has never been destroyed. As Jesus said to Peter, "On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not over come it" (Matthew 16:18). When you face persecution and discrimination, take courage - the church will never be destroyed.
Below is an excerpt taken from "Christ's Notes" by Matthew Henry for more information on Psalm 129:
(Psalm 129:1-4) - "The enemies of God's people have very barbarously endeavored 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"
(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"
Psalm 129 / New International Version
ReplyDelete1 “They have greatly oppressed me from my youth,”
let Israel say;
2 “they have greatly oppressed me from my youth,
but they have not gained the victory over me.
3 Plowmen have plowed my back
and made their furrows long.
4 But the Lord is righteous;
he has cut me free from the cords of the wicked.”
5 May all who hate Zion
be turned back in shame.
6 May they be like grass on the roof,
which withers before it can grow;
7 with it the reaper cannot fill his hands,
nor the one who gathers fill his arms.
8 May those who pass by not say,
“The blessing of the Lord be on you;
we bless you in the name of the Lord.”