Psalms 129:7
Psalms 129:7 in Multiple Translations
unable to fill the hands of the reaper, or the arms of the binder of sheaves.
Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand; nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom.
Wherewith the reaper filleth not his hand, Nor he that bindeth sheaves, his bosom:
He who gets in the grain has no use for it; and they do not make bands of it for the grain-stems.
There's not enough even for a reaper to hold, not enough even for the binder to bind.
Whereof the mower filleth not his hand, neither the glainer his lap:
That hath not filled the hand of a reaper, And the bosom of a binder of sheaves.
with which the reaper doesn’t fill his hand, nor he who binds sheaves, his bosom.
With which the mower filleth not his hand; nor he that bindeth sheaves, his bosom.
Because with the Lord there is mercy: and with him plentiful redemption.
as a result no one cuts it and puts it in bundles and carries it away.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 129:7
BAB
Word Study
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Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 129:7 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
שֶׁ/לֹּ֤א
מִלֵּ֖א
כַפּ֥/וֹ
קוֹצֵ֗ר
וְ/חִצְנ֥/וֹ
מְעַמֵּֽר
שֶׁ/לֹּ֤א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Rel | Part
מִלֵּ֖א
mâlêʼ
H4390
to fill
V-Piel-Perf-3ms
כַפּ֥/וֹ
kaph
H3709
palm
N-fs | Suff
קוֹצֵ֗ר
qâtsar
H7114
be short
V-Qal
וְ/חִצְנ֥/וֹ
chêtsen
H2683
bosom
Conj | N-ms | Suff
מְעַמֵּֽר
ʻâmar
H6014
to bind
V-Piel
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 129:7
שֶׁ/לֹּ֤א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Rel | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
מִלֵּ֖א
mâlêʼ
H4390
"to fill"
V-Piel-Perf-3ms
To fill means to make something full or complete, like filling a container or fulfilling a promise. This word is used in many contexts, including being full of joy or having a job completed.
Definition: 1) to fill, be full 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be full 1a1a) fulness, abundance (participle) 1a1b) to be full, be accomplished, be ended 1a2) to consecrate, fill the hand 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be filled, be armed, be satisfied 1b2) to be accomplished, be ended 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to fill 1c2) to satisfy 1c3) to fulfil, accomplish, complete 1c4) to confirm 1d) (Pual) to be filled 1e) (Hithpael) to mass themselves against Aramaic equivalent: me.la (מְלָא "to fill" H4391)
Usage: Occurs in 242 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, confirm, [phrase] consecrate, be at an end, be expired, be fenced, fill, fulfil, (be, become, [idiom] draw, give in, go) full(-ly, -ly set, tale), (over-) flow, fulness, furnish, gather (selves, together), presume, replenish, satisfy, set, space, take a (hand-) full, [phrase] have wholly. See also: Genesis 1:22; 2 Chronicles 16:14; Psalms 10:7.
כַפּ֥/וֹ
kaph
H3709
"palm"
N-fs | Suff
In the Bible, this word refers to the palm of the hand, like in Exodus 29 where it describes the priest's hands being filled with offerings. It can also symbolize power or strength, like in Psalm 16. It's about the hand or its shape.
Definition: : palm/hand 1) palm, hand, sole, palm of the hand, hollow or flat of the hand 1a) palm, hollow or flat of the hand 1b) power 1c) sole (of the foot) 1d) hollow, objects, bending objects, bent objects 1d1) of thigh-joint 1d2) pan, vessel (as hollow) 1d3) hollow (of sling) 1d4) hand-shaped branches or fronds (of palm trees) 1d5) handles (as bent)
Usage: Occurs in 180 OT verses. KJV: branch, [phrase] foot, hand((-ful), -dle, (-led)), hollow, middle, palm, paw, power, sole, spoon. See also: Genesis 8:9; 2 Chronicles 6:13; Psalms 7:4.
קוֹצֵ֗ר
qâtsar
H7114
"be short"
V-Qal
This Hebrew word means to reap or harvest, like cutting down grain or grass. It is used in the Bible to describe the act of harvesting, and also to describe being discouraged or grieved.
Definition: 1) to be short, be impatient, be vexed, be grieved 1a) (Qal) to be short 1b) (Piel) to shorten 1c) (Hiphil) to shorten
Usage: Occurs in 46 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, cut down, much discouraged, grieve, harvestman, lothe, mourn, reap(-er), (be, wax) short(-en, -er), straiten, trouble, vex. See also: Leviticus 19:9; Job 24:6; Psalms 89:46.
וְ/חִצְנ֥/וֹ
chêtsen
H2683
"bosom"
Conj | N-ms | Suff
This Hebrew word refers to the bosom or chest area, like in Exodus 4:6-7 where Moses puts his hand into his bosom and it becomes leprous.
Definition: bosom, bosom of a garment
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: bosom. See also: Psalms 129:7.
מְעַמֵּֽר
ʻâmar
H6014
"to bind"
V-Piel
Refers to treating someone unfairly or like a slave, as seen in the story of Joseph in Genesis 37:28, where his brothers sold him into slavery. It can also mean to manipulate or take advantage of someone for personal gain.
Definition: 1) to bind sheaves 1a) (Piel) to gather
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: bind sheaves, make merchandise of. See also: Deuteronomy 21:14; Deuteronomy 24:7; Psalms 129:7.
Study Notes — Psalms 129:7
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The Cords of the Wicked
5May all who hate Zion be turned back in shame.
6May they be like grass on the rooftops, which withers before it can grow,
7unable to fill the hands of the reaper, or the arms of the binder of sheaves.
8May none who pass by say to them, “The blessing of the LORD be on you; we bless you in the name of the LORD.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Galatians 6:8 | The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. |
| 2 | Isaiah 17:10–11 | For you have forgotten the God of your salvation and failed to remember the Rock of your refuge. Therefore, though you cultivate delightful plots and set out cuttings from exotic vines— though on the day you plant you make them grow, and on that morning you help your seed sprout— yet the harvest will vanish on the day of disease and incurable pain. |
| 3 | Psalms 126:6 | He who goes out weeping, bearing a trail of seed, will surely return with shouts of joy, carrying sheaves of grain. |
| 4 | Hosea 8:7 | For they sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind. There is no standing grain; what sprouts fails to yield flour. Even if it should produce, the foreigners would swallow it up. |
Psalms 129:7 Summary
Psalms 129:7 is saying that the enemies of God's people will not be able to accomplish anything meaningful or lasting, just like a failed harvest. This is because God is a God of justice and righteousness, who will ultimately vindicate His people and punish those who oppose them, as seen in Psalms 1:1-3 and Deuteronomy 28:1-14. We can trust in God's promise to bless and protect His people, even in the face of opposition and persecution, and pray for their blessing and prosperity, as seen in Psalms 122:6-9. By trusting in God's goodness and faithfulness, we can avoid spiritual barrenness and flourish like a well-watered garden, as seen in Isaiah 58:11.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for grass to wither before it can grow, as mentioned in the context of Psalms 129:7?
This phrase, found in Psalms 129:6, indicates that the enemies of Zion will not be able to flourish or reach their full potential, much like grass that withers before it can grow, as also seen in Isaiah 37:27, where God describes the withering of His enemies like a plant that withers before it reaches maturity.
Why is the image of the reaper and binder of sheaves used in Psalms 129:7?
The image of the reaper and binder of sheaves is used to illustrate the idea that the enemies of Zion will not be able to produce any lasting or meaningful fruit, just as a reaper and binder of sheaves would have nothing to harvest if the crops were barren, much like the concept of barrenness described in Matthew 13:26, where Jesus describes the weeds that are gathered and burned.
How does Psalms 129:7 relate to the idea of God's blessing and judgment?
Psalms 129:7 suggests that those who oppose God's people, Zion, will not experience God's blessing, but rather His judgment, as seen in Psalms 1:1-3, where the blessed man is described as the one who delights in God's law, and in contrast, the wicked will wither away like chaff, and in Deuteronomy 28:1-14, where God promises to bless those who obey Him and curses those who disobey Him.
What can we learn from the contrast between the fate of the enemies of Zion and the promises to God's people in Psalms 129:7?
The contrast between the fate of the enemies of Zion and the promises to God's people in Psalms 129:7 teaches us that God is a God of justice and righteousness, who will ultimately vindicate His people and punish those who oppose them, as seen in Psalms 37:1-40, where David trusts in God's justice and righteousness, and in Romans 2:1-16, where Paul describes God's judgment on those who reject Him.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can apply the concept of withering like grass on the rooftops to my own life, in terms of recognizing and avoiding spiritual barrenness?
- How can I trust in God's promise to bless and protect His people, even in the face of opposition and persecution, as seen in Psalms 129:5-8?
- What are some ways that I can demonstrate my love and support for God's people, and pray for their blessing and prosperity, as seen in Psalms 122:6-9?
- In what ways can I be a source of encouragement and strength to others, rather than allowing them to wither away like grass on the rooftops, as seen in Galatians 6:2 and Hebrews 10:24-25?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 129:7
Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand,.... Such grass never rises high enough to be mowed, nor is of that account to have such pains taken with it; nor the quantity so large as to fill a mower's
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 129:7
Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand; nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom. Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand, nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 129:7
Psalms 129:7 Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand; nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom.Ver. 7. Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand] As holding it not worth gathering in. Wicked men are useless creatures; as Stratonicus, in Athenaeus, saith, that the hill Haemus was for eight months in the year very cold, and for the other four it was winter.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 129:7
5–8. The enemies of Zion shall be destroyed before their malicious schemes are matured.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 129:7
Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand - It cannot be gathered and laid up for the use of cattle, as grass can that grows in the field. It is valueless for any such purpose; or, is utterly worthless.
Sermons on Psalms 129:7
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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The Days of Our Flesh by Steve Hill | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of not wasting time and being motivated to make a difference in the world. He encourages the audience to seek a pastor who wil |
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Paul's Allegory of the Covenants by Peter Masters | This sermon delves into the allegory of the two covenants as explained by the Apostle Paul in Galatians. It contrasts the covenant of works, which relies on human effort and leads |
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The Flesh & the Power of Darkness - Milton Green by From the Pulpit & Classic Sermons | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of not loving the world and its deceptive ways. He encourages the audience to live in the world but not let their hearts be a |
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What Is a Christian 20 Christian an Ambassador by James K. Boswell | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of keeping one's word and being trustworthy. He urges the audience to remember that their word should be their bond, whether |
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A Warning of Love From the Bowels of Life to Professors by Isaac Penington | Isaac Penington preaches a warning to the current generation, urging them to awaken and turn towards the life to be cleansed and saved before the impending storm of wrath. He asser |
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Love—the Primal Fault Remedied by Allan Halton | Allan Halton delves into the concept of the 'bondage of corruption' as described in the Bible, highlighting how it originated from a self-centered desire that led to the primal fau |
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What Will You Do? by Catherine Booth | Catherine Booth passionately preaches about the eternal nature of the soul, emphasizing the power of sowing to the Spirit and righteousness. She highlights the transformative work |