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Illustration for Psalm 129: Oppressed But Not Destroyed

Psalm 129

Oppressed But Not Destroyed

When AfraidComfortWisdom

Israel says: enemies have been hurting us since we were young — but they haven't beaten us! God is righteous and cut the ropes of the wicked. The people who hate God's people will wither like grass on a rooftop before it can grow.

  1. 1They have greatly oppressed me from my youth— let Israel say—
  2. 2they have greatly oppressed me from my youth, but they have not gained the victory over me.
  3. 3Plowmen have plowed my back and made their furrows long.
  4. 4But the LORD is righteous; He has cut me free from the cords of the wicked.
  5. 5May all who hate Zion be turned back in shame.
  6. 6May they be like grass on the rooftop, which withers before it can grow,
  7. 7with it the reaper cannot fill his hand, nor the one who gathers fill his arms.
  8. 8May those who pass by not say, "The blessing of the LORD be on you; we bless you in the name of the LORD."

What it means

The people had been hurt for a very long time — and they say plainly that it did not finish them. Surviving something hard is worth saying out loud. God is fair, and He is the one who cuts the ropes that tie people up.

A little prayer

God, some hard things have gone on a long time, but they have not beaten me, because You are holding me. Thank You that You are fair and You set people free. Amen.

Memory verse

“they have greatly oppressed me from my youth, but they have not gained the victory over me.”

Psalm 129:2 (BSB)

It admits the whole history of the hurt and then refuses the last word to it.

Talk about it

Questions with no single right answer — for a family table or a Sunday-school circle.

  1. Israel says they have been hurt since they were young, but not beaten. What is the difference?
  2. The psalm compares enemies to grass on a roof that withers before it grows. What does that picture say?
  3. How do you keep going through something long?
  4. What have you survived that you did not think you would?

Try this

Grass on the roof

Look for a plant growing somewhere with no soil — a wall, a gutter, a crack. Notice how thin it is. Read verse 6 in front of it.

Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB)