Psalm 129 – Oppressed
Psalm 129 – oppressed, begins with a recounting of the suffering of Israel. They feel this suffering so strongly that they repeat the phrase. What do we learn about oppression and survival from this psalm?
Psalm 129
Another song of ascents, pilgrims coming to Jerusalem remember how God saved them in the past and pray for continued protection. It is also an “imprecatory” psalms, calling on the Lord to bring some specific hurt on an enemy, in this case, to defeat their enemy.
In the first verses, the psalmist repeats his chief complaint against the enemies of Zion.
“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.” (1-2)
These attacks and oppression have been going on since their youth. This means since the beginning of the Hebrew nation.
Despite the oppression, their enemies did not gain victory over them. The psalmist then describes the suffering of Israel, comparing it to a plowed field, an image the community readily understood.
“This is compared to a farmer’s field, where the plow makes long gouges in the soil. Israel’s hardships have been long and consistent, with only minor relief, just as plowing is only interrupted long enough to turn around and begin the next row.” (What does Psalm chapter 129 mean? | BibleRef.com) The scars were like those who had been whipped, even deeper.
“Plowmen have plowed my back and made their furrows long.
But the Lord is righteous; he has cut me free from the cords of the wicked.” (3-4)
But again, the Lord came to their rescue, cutting the cords that bound them.
Prayers Against the Enemies of Israel.
The writer calls upon God to bring shame to their enemies. “The psalmist prayed that not only would the Israelites be delivered from their enemies, but that God would also apply His righteousness to their enemies.” Psalm 129 – Enduring Word
He asks that they be like grass on a roof that withers. “The graphic image of the grass on flat housetops of clay, which springs quickly because it has no depth of earth, and withers as it springs, vividly describes the short-lived success and rapid extinction of plots against Zion and of the plotters.” (Maclaren) Psalm 129 – Enduring Word
“May all who hate Zion be turned back in shame.
May they be like grass on the roof, which withers before it can grow;
a reaper cannot fill his hands with it, nor one who gathers fill his arms.” (5-7)
And, if that is not enough, he asks that their enemies not be blessed.
“May those who pass by not say to them, “The blessing of the Lord be on you; we bless you in the name of the Lord.” (8)
Where some may take offence at this prayer against their enemy, according to Spurgeon, “This is “…a proper wish, and contains within it no trace of personal ill-will. We desire their welfare as men, their downfall as traitors. Let their conspiracies be confounded, their policies be turned back. How can we wish prosperity to those who would destroy that which is dearest to our hearts?” Psalm 129 – Enduring Word
In other words, if persecuted by others, you don’t have to just take it. Speak out. Cry out to God for justice.
Oppressed
Oppression is prolonged cruel or unjust treatment. The oppressed receive this cruel treatment.
The word oppressed in the New International Version also translates as afflicted (English Standard, King James, American Standard, English revised); persecuted (New Living Bible, Berean Standard, NASB 1995 & 1977, Amplified Bible); distressed (Berean Literal Bible), and attacked (New American Standard, Christian Standard, Contemporary English version).
In the New American Bible, it wasn’t enough to say they were attacked, the adverb viciously is used to describe the attack – “Viciously have they attacked me from my youth.” Such was the severity of the oppression experienced by the Hebrew nation.
“One might say that the chief accomplishment of the Jewish people has been survival. “The Jews are the longest-enduring distinct ethnic people on the planet. They have been slandered, hated, persecuted, expelled, pursued, and murdered throughout their long existence, but they have survived intact.” (Boice) Psalm 129 – Enduring Word
Reason for Hope
Despite this oppression, it is a source of strength for the Hebrew nation. They endured slavery in Egypt, then, once reaching the Promised Land, the tribes around them repeatedly attacked them, then Babylon swept through their country and brought them into captivity. These attacks have continued to our present day, through the Nazi holocaust and pogroms and attacks on Jewish synagogues.
“Whereas most nations tend to look back on what they have achieved, Israel reflects here on what she has survived. It could be a disheartening exercise, for Zion still has its ill-wishers. But the singers take courage from the past, facing God with gratitude and their enemies with defiance.” (Derek Kidner) Psalm 129 – Enduring Word
As I reflected on this psalm, I struggled to relate. I’m currently “afflicted” with a cough that has hung on for weeks after a bad cold. As the saying goes, “I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired.” I’m better, but not entirely. However, this does not compare to what the Jewish people have experienced.
When I reflect back on my life, I’m aware of hard times, dealing with persecution and oppression, but those are in the past. Now I focus on how blessed I am. Let the past stay in the past. God was with me during those times, helping me through them like God did for the Hebrew nation. I realize that I have grown from my experiences. Not so different from how the people of Israel look back at those times and recognize that God was with them.
“The right use of retrospect is to make it the ground of hope. They who have passed unscathed through such afflictions may well be sure that any tomorrow shall be as the yesterdays were, and that all future assaults will fail as all past ones have failed.” (Maclaren) Psalm 129 – Enduring Word
Psalm 129 – Oppressed
The Hebrew nation has proven to be resilient over the centuries. Oppressed and downtrodden, they continue to hope. That is the message of Psalm 129 – oppressed. No matter our circumstances, our God is with us. God hears us and cares for us. This gives us reason for hope.
Feeling oppressed or afflicted? Cry out to God. Our God who saved the Hebrew nation, hears you.
(For another take on this psalm, see Psalm 129: Like Grass on the House Tops! – Patricia M Robertson)
This post is part of a series of blog posts on the Psalms. Sign up to follow this blog and receive a free copy of Still Dancing, the second book in my Dancing through Life Series. click here to sign up
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