PSALM CXXIX _The Jews give an account of the afflictions which they have_ _passed through_, 1-3. _And thank God for their deliverance_, 4. _The judgments that shall fall on the workers of iniquity_, 5-8. NOTES ON PSALM CXXIX This Psalm was written _after_ the captivity; and contains a referenc... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 129:2. _YET THEY HAVE NOT PREVAILED_] They endeavoured to annihilate us as a people; but God still preserves us as his own nation.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 129:3. _THE PLOWERS PLOWED UPON MY BACK_] It is possible that this mode of expression may signify that the people, during their captivity, were cruelly used by _scourging_, c. or it may be a sort of proverbial mode of expression for _the most cruel usage_. There really appears here to b... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 129:4. _THE LORD-HATH CUT ASUNDER THE CORDS OF THE WICKED._] The words have been applied to the sufferings of Christ; but I know not on what authority. No such scourging could take place in his case, as would justify the expression, - "The ploughers made long furrows there, Till all h... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 129:5. _LET THEM ALL BE CONFOUNDED_] They shall be confounded. They who _hate Zion_, the Church of God, hate God himself; and all such must be dealt with as _enemies_, and be utterly _confounded_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 129:6. _AS THE GRASS_ UPON _THE HOUSETOPS_] As in the east the roofs of the houses were _flat_, seeds of various kinds falling upon them would naturally vegetate, though in an imperfect way; and, because of the want of proper nourishment, would necessarily _dry_ and _wither_ away. If _g... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 129:8. _NEITHER DO THEY WHICH GO BY SAY_] There is a reference here to the _salutations_ which were _given_ and _returned_ by the reapers in the time of the _harvest_. We find that it was customary, when the master came to them into the field, to say unto the reapers, _The Lord be with... [ Continue Reading ]