Psalms 128:3

Back. Hebrew, "labourers have laboured on my neck," (St. Jerome) or "back." They have made me bear the yoke, or have ploughed up my back. This proverbial expression shews the cruelty of the Babylonians, (Calmet) and of the enemies of Christ, (Isaias l. 6.) and the martyrs. (Theodoret) --- Hebrew charash, means also to work like a blacksmith, Genesis iv. 22. (Berthier) --- The Church bears patiently all crosses. Sinners build on her, or even on God's back, when they go on in their wicked ways, presuming that they will be saved at last by the sacraments, &c. (Worthington)