Psalms 129:7

Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand; nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom. WHEREWITH THE MOWER FILLETH NOT HIS HAND, NOR HE THAT BINDETH SHEAVES HIS BOSOM. The mower takes the WHEREWITH THE MOWER FILLETH NOT HIS HAND, NOR HE THAT BINDETH SHEAVES HIS BOSOM. The mower takes the stalks into his hand to cut them; the binder takes the sheaf into his bosom to bind it. NEITHER DO THEY WHICH GO BY SAY, THE BLESSING OF THE LORD BE UPON YOU - as it was customary in God-fearing Israel for those who passed by reapers of a harvest to say to them. So ....

7_With which the mower hath not filled his hand. _(116) We have here an additional confirmation of the truth, that although the wicked mount high or elevate themselves, and form an extravagant opinion of their own importance, yet they continue mere grass, not bringing forth any good fruit, nor reaching a state of ripeness, but swelling only with fresh appearance. To make this obvious, the Psalmist sets them in opposition to fruit-bearing herbs, which in valleys and low grounds produce fruit for men. In fine, he affirms that they deserve to be hated or despised of all, whereas commonly every one in passing by the corn fields blesses them and prays for the harvest? (117) Farther, he has borrowed this illustration of his doctrine from the affairs of ordinary life, we are taught that whenever there is a hopeful prospect of a good harvest, we ought to beseech God, whose peculiar

5-8 While God's people shall flourish as the loaded palm-tree, or the green and fruitful olive, their enemies shall wither as the grass upon the house-tops, which in eastern countries are flat, and what grows there never ripens; so it is with the designs of God's enemies. No wise man will pray the Lord to bless these mowers or reapers. And when we remember how Jesus arose and reigns; how his people have been supported, like the burning but unconsumed bush, we shall not fear...

WHEREWITH THE MOWER FILLETH NOT HIS HAND - It cannot be gathered and laid up for the use of cattle, as grass can that grows in the field. It is valueless for any such purpose; or, is utterly worthless. The phrase “filleth not his hand” seems to be derived from the idea of reaping, where the reaper with one hand takes hold of the grain which he reaps, and cuts it off with the sickle in the other. NOR HE THAT BINDETH SHEAVES - The man who gathers in the harvest. This was commonly performed by a different person from the reaper. HIS BOSOM - This word would commonly refer to the bosom of the garment, in which tilings were carried; or that part above the girdle. It may be used here, however, in a larger sense - since it is incongruous to suppose that sheaves of grain would be carried thus - as meaning simply that one who gathered the sheaves would usually convey th

EXPOSITION THIS psalm consists of a retrospect (Psalms 129:1) and an anticipation (Psalms 129:5). The retrospect shows Israel oppressed by enemies for a long term of years, but finally vindicated and delivered (Psalms 129:4). The anticipation shows her enemies afflicted in their turn, and suffering the just reward for their misdeeds. PSALMS 129:1 MANY A TIME HAVE THEY AFFLICTED ME FROM MY YOUTH. Israel's recollection is one of frequent, almost constant, "affliction." She has been downtrodden beneath the feet of Egyptians, Moabites, Mesopotamians, Canaanit

WHEREWITH THE MOWER FILLETH NOT HIS HAND,.... Such grass never rises high enough to be mowed, nor is of that account to have such pains taken with it; nor the quantity so large as to fill a mower's hand, and carry it away in his arms; NOR HE THAT BINDETH SHEAVES HIS BOSOM; when corn is mowed or reaped, the binders come and gather it up in their arms, and bind it in sheaves, and then bring it into the barn; but nothing of this kind is done with grass on the housetops. This represents the insignificancy and worthlessness of wicked men; who, when the harvest comes, the end of the world, will not be gathered in by the reapers, the angels, into Christ's garner into heaven as the wheat, the righteous will; but like the tares and chaff will be cast into unquenchable fire, Matthew 3:12....

Three Songs of degrees. Psalms 129:1. _Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth, may Israel now say: many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed against me._ The trials of some of God's people begin very early. When first we put on the armor of God, the adversary is usually very bitter against us. Some of our old friends and acquaintances cannot bear to see the change in us, and they bitterly oppose us, so that God's children may have to say, «From our youth they have afflicted us.» But you must not think that the beginning of sorrows will be the end of them. Oh, no! «Many a time have they afflicted me.» God's children are often called to pass under the rod, and the rod is frequently held in the hands of the children of men. Your Saviour carried the cross, and he expects you to carry it, too. He does not tell you to take it

PSALM 120-134 The Psalms of Degrees Fifteen brief Psalms follow, called songs of degrees, or, ascents. They were in all probability used by Israel going up to Jerusalem three times a year to celebrate the feasts of the Lord--”Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, a testimony for Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD.” They are indeed Psalms of “the goings-up” for we rise higher and higher as we read through them. Prophetically they give us again the steps from trial and suffering to the glorious consummation. As they are so simple in language and construction no lengthy annotations are needed. Psalms 120:1 begins with distress, picturing again the suffering of the righteous godly remnant. In Psalms 121:1 the Keeper of Israel, the Covenant Keeping God, is revealed

CXXIX. PERSECUTED BUT NOT CAST DOWN. Psalms 129:1. Israel's tyrants compared to ploughmen who have extended their ploughing far, but Yahweh in His righteousness cut the cord which fastened the ox to the plough and then, of course, the ploughing ceased. PSALMS 129:5. The enemies of Zion are to be like grass which springs up casually on the flat roof, but before it reaches its full height (?) is withered. Nobody would think of formal benediction on a crop which was not worth the carrying....

PSALMS 129 DESCRIPTIVE TITLE Israel's Thanks for Past Deliverances, and Prayer for Continued Vindication. ANALYSIS Stanza I., Psalms 129:1-4, Israel's Experience of Vexation and Deliverance. Stanza II., Psalms 129:5-8, The Shame and Chagrin Awaiting all the Haters of Zion. (Lm.) Song of the Steps. 1 Full much have they harassed me from my youth pray let Israel say: 2 Full much have they harassed me from my youth but they have not prevailed against me. 3 Upon my back have ploughed the ploughers they have lengthened their field.[751] [751] Furrow-stripDel. A highly poetic description of the extent of country occupied by