Psalms 129:8

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 ....

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...

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 you_! and for them to answer, _The Lord_ _bless thee_! Ruth 2:4. Let their land become desolate, so that no harvest shall ever more appear in it. No interchange of benedictions between owners and reapers. This has literally taken place: Babylon is utterly destroyed; no harvests grow near the place where it stood. ANALYSIS OF THE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-NINTH PSALM The intent of the prophet in composing this Psalm is to comfort the Chu

NEITHER DO THEY WHICH GO BY SAY, THE BLESSING OF THE LORD,... - As in a harvest-field, where persons passing by express their joy and gratitude that their neighbors are reaping an abundant harvest. The phrase “The blessing of the Lord be upon you,” was expressive of good wishes; of pious congratulation; of a hope of success and prosperity; as when we say, “God be with you;” or, “God bless you.” The meaning here is, that such language would never be used in reference to the grass or grain growing on the house-top, since it would never justify a wish of that kind: it would be ridiculous and absurd to apply such language to anyone who should be found gathering up that dry; and withered, and worthless grass. So the psalmist prays that it may be in regard to all who hate Zion Psalms 129:5, that they may have no such prosperity as would be represented by a growth of l

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

NEITHER DO THEY WHICH GO BY SAY, THE BLESSING OF THE LORD [BE] UPON YOU,.... As was usual with passengers, when they went by where mowers, and reapers, and binders, were at work in the field in harvest time; who used to wish the presence and blessing of God with them, and upon their labours; and who returned the salutation, as may be seen in Boaz and his reapers, Ruth 2:4; WE BLESS YOU IN THE NAME OF THE LORD; which is either a continuation of the blessing of the passengers, or the answer of the reapers to them; so the Targum, "nor do they answer them, "we bless you",'' c. The sense is, that those wicked men would have no blessing on them, from God nor men that no God speed would be wished them; but that they were like the earth, that is covered with briers and thorns; which is nigh unto cursing, and its end to be burned....

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....

NAME. See note on Psalms 20:1....