Psalm 129:1-8 Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth, may Israel now say:… Care must be taken not to make too much account of the effect exercised by the great convulsions of nature on the moral condition of a people. The need of this precaution is well shown by the social history of Iceland. This country has for the thousand years of its history been subjected to imminent peril from the instability of the earth as well as from the inhospitable nature of its climate. In almost every century of the world's history famine caused by the accidents of the earth and air has menaced the life of the population. Many successive volcanic outbreaks, attended by serious earthquakes, have convulsed this island, and yet amid these mishaps the people have maintained the highest measure of social order in any state of which we have a history. The Icelanders have had the moral strength to rise superior to such afflictions. In this state, as in certain individuals, chastise-merit which would have destroyed weaker natures served to affirm the vigour of the strong people. (Shaler: "Aspects of the Earth.") Parallel Verses KJV: {A Song of degrees.} Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth, may Israel now say:WEB: Many times they have afflicted me from my youth up. Let Israel now say, |
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