Psalm 129 A Cry for Help to the Lord
A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.
“From my earliest youth my enemies have persecuted me. Let all Israel repeat this: From my earliest youth my enemies have persecuted me, but they have never defeated me.
My back is covered with cuts, as if a farmer had plowed long furrows.
But the Lord is good; he has cut me free from the ropes of the ungodly.
May all who hate Jerusalem be turned back in shameful defeat. May they be as useless as grass on a rooftop, turning yellow when only half grown, ignored by the harvester, despised by the binder. And may those who pass by refuse to give them this blessing: “The Lord bless you; we bless you in the Lord’s name.”
“From my earliest youth my enemies have persecuted me. Let all Israel repeat this: From my earliest youth my enemies have persecuted me, but they have never defeated me. My back is covered with cuts, as if a farmer had plowed long furrows. But the Lord is good; he has cut me free from the ropes of the ungodly.”
In case you have thought that ancient pilgrims had it easy, this psalm should convince you otherwise. This writer has faced opposition his entire life and he wants you to know about it! Here in Ghana, there’s a common slogan painted on small buses, “Kae me bre!” “Remember my suffering!” This psalmist wants you to know that he has SUFFERED!!!
I came of age as a general surgeon in the 1970’s when female surgeons were far less common than they are now. I can testify that I have endured prejudice, gas lighting, and all kinds of verbal and emotional abuse in my quest to become a competent surgeon. There were times when I felt as if I had visible cleat marks on my back. During those times, this psalm became one of my favorites, one I would read repeatedly for comfort.
It’s not difficult to find yourself in the same position as this psalmist. Work hard, behave with honesty and integrity, and you too will find enemies on the attack. When you try to do everything right, your enemies still leave you with long deep furrows on your back. But there’s hope.
“But the Lord is good; he has cut me free from the ropes of the ungodly.” Here is the secret ofthe psalmist’s salvation. Each time enemies think they have captured this man, God sets him free. God is all-powerful and all-seeing; God never becomes fed up with delivering us from those who would destroy us. Even when we find ourselves caught in cleverly designed traps, God already has made ways of escape for us.
“May all who hate Jerusalem be turned back in shameful defeat. May they be as useless as grass on a rooftop, turning yellow when only half grown, ignored by the harvester, despised by the binder.” These verses give us a fascinating glimpse into ancient Israeli culture. What good is grass on a flat house top? This grass is “volunteer, “springing up by itself but unfit for any good use. Of course, this grass will turn yellow, drying out in the relentless sun. And what harvester or binder would bother with such grass? So all enemies will be turned back in shameful defeat, worthless as dried up grass on a housetop.
“And may those who pass by refuse to give them this blessing: “The Lord bless you; we bless you in the Lord’s name.” Evidently, in ancient Israel, when travelers would pass those harvesting a crop, they would automatically pronounce blessings on the crops and the workers. “The Lord bless you; we bless you in the Lord’s name.” Children would grow up listening to their parents blessing the neighbors in the fashion, so blessings would spread throughout an entire area. How wonderful! I grew up on a farm, but I don’t recall ever hearing anyone blessing us in this fashion.
But do we need to merely regard this blessing as a fascinating cultural insight? What if we were to bless workers each time we see them working? Again, here in Ghana, most tribal languages have a phrase meaning “How’s work?” Those raised to regard traditional courtesies will greet workers in this fashion wherever they see them. We have learned several of these phrases and those we greet in this fashion are always charmed and flattered when we acknowledge their work in their own language.
God knows the way you have suffered, but God also is the Healer. Trust God to deliver you from enemies, and while you’re waiting for deliverance, bless all those around you. Who knows? God might use you to deliver someone else.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to trust Your deliverance and to remain faithful, even when things are difficult. And help us to be a blessing to all those around us. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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