Psalms 129

The afflictions of Israel, or of the Church of God are various and manifold, but God delivers them out all, and all their enemies must perish.

1. A song (or hymn) Hammaaloth. [See Psalm 120.v.1.] They [to wit; mine enemies] have often distressed me, (even) from my youth, [i.e. ever since that time, that from a small company in Egypt I grew to a great multitude: or, from that time, which God made a Covenant with our father Abraham: it may also be understood of Jacob himself, who was persecuted by his brother Esau from his very youth] let Israel say now: [i.e. the people of Israel, the Church of God, as Psalm 128.v.6.]

2. They have often distressed me (even) from youth: nevertheless, they prevailed not over me.

3. Laughers [Understand here by the laughers, those which are otherwise called teh sowers of unrighteousness, as Job 4:8.] have ploughed upon my back: [the meaning is: even as the ground is cut and torn up with the plough; so have evil men afflicted and tormented me. Compare Isa.51.23.] they have drawn their furrows long. [or furrow, in the Hebrew, it is one and the other. Understand by the furrows of the wicked, their slanders, reproach’s and insulting’s, which had endured a long time.]

4. The LORD, that is righteous, hath cut off the ropes of the wicked. [By these ropes understand their consultations and designs, knitting all together to draw the plough of unrighteousness. See Isa.5.18. That is to say, teh Lord hath delivered us out of their power, and broken they yoak of our bondage in sunder.]

5. Let them be ashamed and driven backwards, [i.e. let the hope and confidence of the enemy to destroy us, be frustrated and disappointed. Others, they shall be, etc. And so in the next verse] all those that hate Zion. [the people of God, which cometh together at Zion to worship God.]

6. Let them become like grass [See 1 Kings 18.on v.5.] upon the roofs, [The houses in the land of Canaan were built with flat tops, where grass used to grow between the clefts or joining’s of the stones, and at the corners] that withereth before it be pluck out: [otherwise, before one draws (the Site) viz. To mow, or cut down that grass.]

7. Wherewith the Reaper doth not fill his hand, [Heb. Palm, meaning that the wicked shall not come to their perfect growth, or full age, or that they shall not be able to execute and perform their evil designs and purposes] nor the sheave binder his arm. [or bosom.]

8. Nor those that pass by, say; The blessing of the LORD be with you: [Or over, upon you] We bless you in the name of the LORD. [i.e. we wish you the blessing of the LORD, i.e. all wealth and prosperity. Thus were passengers wont to salute mowers, reapers, and other that laboured in the field. Some take these last words, as on answer of those that were blessed. Compare above, Psal.118.26. with the Annot.on Ruth.2.4.