Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

Psalm 129. It is reasonable to call this song a psalm of confidence for the community, as it reflects on what God's people have endured and how God has sustained them. It could also be called a community thanksgiving, which celebrates God's sustaining presence, or a community lament, asking that God continue to sustain his people against those who would harm them. As a Song of Ascents, it is well-suited to remind the pilgrims never to take their privileges for granted.

129:1-4 Those Who Hate Israel Have Not Prevailed. The opening section has God's people as a whole (the me here) speaking, recalling that Israel has long (from my youth) endured people who have afflicted them, and yet they have not prevailed against Israel. They have done terrible things (plowed upon my back), but because the Lord is righteous (i.e., true to his promises), he has cut the cords (which bound Israel to be subjects) of the wicked (in this case, those who hate God's people).