Useful Bible Studies > Songs of Ascent Commentary

Psalm 129

· To get the maximum benefit from this study, please open your Bible and read Psalm 129 first.

Sometimes a person reads only one passage from the Bible, and he does not read the other passages near it. That person may get wrong ideas. He has studied only part of what God was saying.

That could happen to the person who reads Psalm 128 and not Psalm 129, for example. That person could imagine that God’s people have few troubles. God has been kind to their families, and they are content. He helps them, and he does good things for them. All of this is correct. But that reader may not realise how much God’s people need his kindness and help. As Psalm 129 explains, they need those things because they have cruel enemies and severe troubles.

The nation called Israel had many enemies. They were against Israel even from the beginning of that nation. We could write a long list of the nations that fought against Israel. But the poet does not write such a list. They do not deserve for anyone to remember their names. Wicked people do not deserve any honour.

Many enemies who attacked Israel were more powerful than Israel. They defeated Israel. Some enemies made the people from Israel into their slaves. Some enemies robbed Israel. Or, they ordered the people in Israel to pay taxes that they could hardly afford. And some enemies wanted to murder every person from Israel.

They overcame Israel. But they could not destroy the nation called Israel completely. God protected his people. And even now, the *Jewish people still exist because of God’s goodness to them. In fact, God has made them strong again. And he has given their own country back to them.

The poet uses a powerful agricultural description to describe the cruelty of those enemies. When farmers use a plough, they cut long, deep holes into the ground. They seem like the long, painful cuts if someone whips a prisoner’s back.

But the poet says that God is good. God stops the punishment. Strong farm animals would pull the plough. And cords (thick, strong strings) would attach those animals to the plough. If someone cut those cords, it was impossible to pull the plough. God does that. He allows his enemy, the devil, to test his people with various troubles. But he puts a limit on what the devil may do. (See Job 1:12; Job 2:6.)

We should constantly remind ourselves that God is good. It is his enemy, the devil, who causes trouble for God’s people. But God always supports and helps his people through their troubles. God is on our side. And it is God who will save us from all our troubles.

Next part: The reasons why God’s people suffer

See the word list for explanation of words with a *

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