Homilist Psalm 129:1-8 Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth, may Israel now say: I. AS SUFFERING UNDER THE HAND OF WICKED PERSECUTION. The persecution here referred to was — 1. Of early commencement (ver. 1). It is ever so; the persecutions of godly men begin in this life in the very youthhood of their religion. 2. Frequent in its occurrence. 3. Violent in its character (ver. 3). (Isaiah 51:23; Micah 3:12.) This language finds its application in — (1) Christ. (2) His Church. II. AS ENGAGING THE MERCIFUL INTERPOSITION OF HEAVEN (ver. 4). 1. He is engaged in sustaining them. The bush burned on, but was not consumed. The branches were torn up, but the roots struck deeper. Not all the enemies of Christ "prevailed" against Him. Heaven always sustains the good. 2. He is engaged in delivering them. The plough is fastened by "cords" to the yoke of the oxen, and they draw its tearing iron through the ground. If you would stop the plough you must cut the "cords." This is the figure, God in righteousness will one day stop the plough of persecution, He will deliver His people out of all their troubles. III. AS RISING TRIUMPHANTLY OVER ALL THEIR ENEMIES (vers. 5-8). Persecutors will be utterly routed, driven back with burning shame, with panic dread. This was the case with Pharaoh, Sennacherib, with Haman, Herod; aye, with persecutors in every age. "I will break your church in pieces with a hammer, if you do not obey me," said a French monarch to a Protestant pastor. Calm and dignified was the reply: "This anvil has broken many a hammer." (Homilist.) 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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