Psalm Devotional
Confidence Under Persecution
Written by Kit Swartz. This devotional was first published in the May 2016 issue of The Reformed Presbyterian Witness.
Psalm 129 is the tenth of the 15 Songs of Ascents (120-134). The theme of this psalm is similar to those in the series and to many other psalms: Those who seek the Lord shall be delivered from their enemies on every side (see 2 Sam. 7:1).
When the people of God came up to Jerusalem year after year, persevering under persecution, they were surely tempted to grow weary and lose heart. This psalm assured them that the Lord would not fail to deliver them. As we worship, week after week and year after year, under our sorrows and defeats in a decaying culture, we also need this assurance.
This psalm uses an argument very familiar in the Scriptures: with God, past performance is a guarantee of future events. The boilerplate warning with stockbrokers is “past performance is no guarantee of future returns,” because so much is beyond their wisdom and power. But with God, whose wisdom and power are perfect, there is no such qualification (see Mic. 3:6; Heb. 13:8).
Past Performance: Deliverance from Persecution (vv. 1-4)
Many times (vv. 1-2) indicates that their persecution has been frequent, and its significance is illustrated by plowing that is deep and long (v. 3). From my youth confirms the duration of the persecution, but also specifically refers to oppressions at the time of the Exodus when the nation was young (Hos. 11:1; Exod. 4:22). This theme is very appropriate to the Songs of Ascents as two of the three annual feasts (Passover and Booths) refer to the youth of Israel at the time of Exodus.
Though greatly oppressed, the people of God continue to worship Him at His appointed times and place (see Heb. 10:25). Public worship must be a constant for us if we will endure persecution (see Heb. 10:36).
The point in all of this is that the enemies have not prevailed (v. 2). This is because God always does the right thing, and the right thing here is to deliver those who are being persecuted for the sake of righteousness (v. 4; see 1 Pet. 4:19; 5:10). He delivers His people by cutting the cords (v. 4) that the oppressors use to hold down their victims or refer to the straps the oppressors use to lead the oxen in plowing on the backs of the righteous (v. 3-4; see Job 39:10; Ps. 124:6-8).
Future Providences: Deliverance from Persecution (vv. 5-8)
Verses 5-8 indicate either what will happen or what the psalmist desires to happen. It is perhaps best to understand that both possiblities are involved: confident petitions based on the faithfulness of God who will deliver His people in the future as He has in the past.
Zion (v. 5) is where God dwells among His gathered people (see Heb. 12:22). To hate Zion is to hate God’s people precisely because they are God’s people (v. 5; Ps. 120:6; see Matt. 10:22; 24:9) and, thus, to hate God. Such haters will necessarily be disappointed in their expectations (v. 5, put to shame) and frustrated in their intentions (turned back). Sennacherib is a great example of a powerful oppressor who was put to shame and turned back in a most astounding manner (2 Kings 18-19).
This defeat of all God’s and our enemies is illustrated by grass that tries to grow on a rooftop. It withers before it can produce anything (v. 6; see Isa. 37:27; Mark 4:5-6). The absurdity of those who hate God and persecute His people (see Ps. 2:4) is illustrated by imagining someone trying to get a harvest from a rooftop. The reaper is empty handed and the binder embraces thin air (v. 7), and there is therefore no reason to receive and give blessing in the joy of harvest (v. 8; see Ruth 2:4). This is the destiny of all those who hate God and persecute His people.
Present Assurance: Confidence Under Persecution (v. 8)
The responsive blessing of the reapers (v. 8b, We bless you) may go beyond its role of showing that there is no harvest for those who hate us. This last line of verse 8 may also carry a positive blessing to those who sow faithfulness in perseverance under persecution with tears (vv. 1-8). Their harvest will not be empty but multiplied (see Ps. 126). Those who hate God and persecute His people will suffer humiliating disappointment. But those who love God and bless His people in public worship and fellowship (Psalms of Ascents), persevering in these things under persecution, will most certainly give and receive His blessing in the end (v. 8; see Ps. 128:5-6; 126:1-6; Num. 6:24-26).
