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Psalm 129

Psa. 129:1 KJV (With Strong’s)

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<<A Song
shiyr (Hebrew #7892)
from 7891; a song; abstractly, singing
KJV usage: musical(-ick), X sing(-er, -ing), song.
Pronounce: sheer
Origin: or feminine shiyrah {shee-raw'}
of degrees
ma`alah (Hebrew #4609)
elevation, i.e. the act (literally, a journey to a higher place, figuratively, a thought arising), or (concretely) the condition (literally, a step or grade-mark, figuratively, a superiority of station); specifically a climactic progression (in certain Psalms)
KJV usage: things that come up, (high) degree, deal, go up, stair, step, story.
Pronounce: mah-al-aw'
Origin: feminine of 4608
.>> σMany a time
rab (Hebrew #7227)
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
KJV usage: (in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly), captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man, one), increase, long (enough, (time)), (do, have) many(-ifold, things, a time), ((ship-))master, mighty, more, (too, very) much, multiply(-tude), officer, often(-times), plenteous, populous, prince, process (of time), suffice(-lent).
Pronounce: rab
Origin: by contracted from 7231
have they afflicted
tsarar (Hebrew #6887)
to cramp, literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (as follows)
KJV usage: adversary, (be in) afflict(-ion), beseige, bind (up), (be in, bring) distress, enemy, narrower, oppress, pangs, shut up, be in a strait (trouble), vex.
Pronounce: tsaw-rar'
Origin: a primitive root
me fromy my youth
na`uwr (Hebrew #5271)
and (feminine) nturah {neh- oo-raw'}; properly, passive participle from 5288 as denominative; (only in plural collectively or emphatic form) youth, the state (juvenility) or the persons (young people)
KJV usage: childhood, youth.
Pronounce: naw-oor'
Origin: or naur {naw-oor'}
, may Israel
Yisra'el (Hebrew #3478)
from 8280 and 410; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity: --Israel.
Pronounce: yis-raw-ale'
now say
'amar (Hebrew #559)
to say (used with great latitude)
KJV usage: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use (speech), utter, X verily, X yet.
Pronounce: aw-mar'
Origin: a primitive root
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σ
or, Much.
y
Ex. 1:13‑14• 13And the Egyptians made the children of Israel serve with rigor;
 14and they embittered their life with hard labour in clay and bricks, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service with which they made them serve [was] with rigor. (Ex. 1:13‑14)
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Lam. 1:3• 3{i}Judah is gone into captivity because of affliction, and because of great servitude;{HR}She dwelleth among the nations, she findeth no rest:{HR}All her pursuers have overtaken her within the straits.{/i} (Lam. 1:3)

More on:

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Israel,
Songs of Degrees

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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1-4:  An exhortation to praise God for saving Israel in their great afflictions.
5-8:  The haters of the church are cursed.
A.M. 3470.
B.C. 534.
(Title.)
A Song of degrees.This Psalm was most probably composed in consequence of the opposition of the Samaritans.
Ezra 4:1‑23• 1{i}And the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity were building the temple to Jehovah the God of Israel;{/i}
 2{i}and they{/i} came to Zerubbabel, and to the chief of the fathers, and said unto them, Let us build with you: for we seek your God, as ye do; and we do sacrifice unto him since the days of Esar-haddon king of Assur, which brought us up hither.
 3{i}But{/i} Zerubbabel and Jeshua, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel, said unto them, Ye have nothing to do with us to build an house unto our God; but we ourselves together will build unto Jehovah God of Israel, as king Cyrus, the king of Persia, hath commanded us.
 4{i}And the people of the land{/i} weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building;
 5and hired counsellors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even unto the reign of Darius king of Persia.
 6And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, wrote they unto him an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.
 7And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath {i}Tabeel, and the rest of his companions, wrote to Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter was written in Aramaic, and interpreted in Aramaic.{/i}
 8{i}Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king after this sort:{/i}
 9{i}Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions, the Dinaites, and the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Shushanchites, the Dehaites, the Elamites,{/i}
 10{i}and the rest of the peoples whom the great and noble Osnappar brought over and settled in the cities of Samaria, and the rest of the country on this side the river, and so forth.{/i}
 11{i}This is the copy of the letter that they sent to him: To Artaxerxes the king: Thy servants the men on this side the river, and so forth.{/i}
 12{i}Be it known to the king that the Jews who came up from thee unto us have come to Jerusalem; they are building the rebellious and the bad city, and they complete the walls and join up the foundations.{/i}
 13{i}Be it known therefore unto the king, that, if this city be built and the walls be completed, they will not pay tribute, tax, and toll, and in the end it will bring damage to the kings.{/i}
 14{i}Now, since we eat the salt of the palace, and it is not right for us to see the king's injury, therefore have we sent and informed the king;{/i}
 15{i}that search may be made in the book of the annals of thy fathers: so shalt thou find in the book of the annals and know that this city is a rebellious city, which has done damage to kings and provinces, and that they have raised sedition within the same of old time, for which cause this city was destroyed.{/i}
 16{i}We inform the king that if this city be built and its walls be completed, by this means thou shalt have no portion on this side the river.{/i}
 17{i}The king sent an answer to Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions that dwell in Samaria, and the other places beyond the river: Peace, and so forth.{/i}
 18{i}The letter that ye sent to us has been read before me distinctly.{/i}
 19{i}And I gave orders, and search has been made, and it has been found that this city of old time has made insurrection against the kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been raised therein.{/i}
 20{i}And there have been mighty kings over Jerusalem, who have ruled over all beyond the river; and tribute, tax, and toll were paid to them.{/i}
 21{i}Now give order to make these men to cease, and that this city be not built, until the order shall be given from me;{/i}
 22{i}and take heed that ye fail not to do this: why should harm grow to the damage of the kings?{/i}
 23{i}As soon as the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem to the Jews, and made them cease by force and power.{/i} (Ezra 4:1‑23)
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Psa. 120:1• 1A song of the ascents.{HR}In my trouble I called unto Jehovah,{HR}And he answered me. (Psa. 120:1)
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Psa. 121:1• 1A song of the ascents.{HR}I lift up mine eyes unto the mountains:{HR}Whence shall my help come? (Psa. 121:1)
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Psa. 122:1• 1A song of the ascents: of David.{HR}I was glad in [those] saying unto me,{HR}To Jehovah's house we will go. (Psa. 122:1)
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Psa. 123:1• 1A song of the ascents.{HR}Unto thee do I lift up mine eyes,{HR}O thou that dwellest in the heavens. (Psa. 123:1)
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Psa. 124:1• 1A song of the ascents: of David.{HR}If [it were] not Jehovah who was for us,{HR}Let now Israel say; (Psa. 124:1)
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Psa. 125:1• 1A song of the ascents.{HR}Those confiding in Jehovah [are] as Mount Zion;{HR}It cannot be moved, it abideth forever. (Psa. 125:1)
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Psa. 126:1• 1A song of the ascents.{HR}When Jehovah turneth the turning of Zion,{HR}We shall be like dreamers. (Psa. 126:1)
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Psa. 127:1• 1A song of the ascents: of Solomon.{HR}If Jehovah build not a house,{HR}In vain toil its builders in it;{HR}If Jehovah keep not a city,{HR}In vain watcheth a keeper. (Psa. 127:1)
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Psa. 127•  (Psa. 127)
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Psa. 128:1• 1A song of the ascents.{HR}Happy [is] every fearer of Jehovah,{HR}That walketh in his ways. (Psa. 128:1)
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Psa. 128•  (Psa. 128)
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Many.
or, Much.
have they.
Ex. 1:12‑14,22• 12But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and spread; and they were distressed because of the children of Israel.
 13And the Egyptians made the children of Israel serve with rigor;
 14and they embittered their life with hard labour in clay and bricks, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service with which they made them serve [was] with rigor.
 22And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, but every daughter ye shall save alive. (Ex. 1:12‑14,22)
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Ex. 5:7‑19• 7{i}Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore: let them go and gather straw for themselves.{/i}
 8{i}And the number of the bricks they have made heretofore shall ye lay upon them: ye shall not diminish any of it, for they are idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God.{/i}
 9{i}Let them put heavier labour on the men, that they may be taken up with it, and not regard vain words.{/i}
 10{i}And the taskmasters of the people and their officers went out and spoke to the people, saying, Thus says Pharaoh: I will not give you straw:{/i}
 11{i}go ye, get yourselves straw where ye may find it; but none of your work shall be diminished.{/i}
 12{i}And the people were scattered abroad throughout the land of Egypt to gather stubble for straw.{/i}
 13{i}And the taskmasters urged them, saying, Fulfil your labours, the daily work, as when there was straw.{/i}
 14{i}And the officers of the children of Israel, whom Pharaoh's taskmasters had set over them, were beaten, and it was said, Why have ye not fulfilled your task in making brick, both yesterday and today, as heretofore?{/i}
 15{i}Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried to Pharaoh, saying, Why dost thou deal thus with thy bondmen?{/i}
 16{i}There is no straw given to thy bondmen, and they say to us, Make brick; and behold, thy bondmen are beaten, but it is the fault of thy people.{/i}
 17{i}And he said, Ye are idle, idle! therefore ye say, Let us go and sacrifice to Jehovah.{/i}
 18{i}And now go—work! and straw shall not be given you, and ye shall deliver the measure of bricks.{/i}
 19{i}And the officers of the children of Israel saw that it stood ill with them, because it was said, Ye shall not diminish anything from your bricks, the daily work.{/i} (Ex. 5:7‑19)
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Judg. 2:15• 15Whithersoever they went out, the hand of Jehovah was against them for evil, as Jehovah had said, and as Jehovah had sworn unto them: and they were greatly distressed. (Judg. 2:15)
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Judg. 10:8‑12• 8{i}And they oppressed and crushed the children of Israel in that year; eighteen years they oppressed all the children of Israel that were beyond the Jordan in the land of the Amorites, which is in Gilead.{/i}
 9{i}And the children of Ammon passed over the Jordan to fight also against Judah, and against Benjamin, and against the house of Ephraim; and Israel was greatly distressed.{/i}
 10{i}And the children of Israel cried to Jehovah, saying, We have sinned against thee, both because we have forsaken our God, and also served the Baals.{/i}
 11{i}And Jehovah said to the children of Israel, Did I not save you from the Egyptians, and from the Amorites, from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines?{/i}
 12{i}The Zidonians also, and Amalek and Maon oppressed you, and ye cried to me, and I saved you out of their hand.{/i} (Judg. 10:8‑12)
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1 Sam. 13:19• 19{i}Now there was no smith found throughout the land of Israel; for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears.{/i} (1 Sam. 13:19)
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Lam. 1:3• 3{i}Judah is gone into captivity because of affliction, and because of great servitude;{HR}She dwelleth among the nations, she findeth no rest:{HR}All her pursuers have overtaken her within the straits.{/i} (Lam. 1:3)
from.
Jer. 2:2• 2{i}Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith Jehovah: I remember for thee the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest after me in the wilderness, in a land not sown.{/i} (Jer. 2:2)
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Ezek. 23:3• 3{i}And they committed whoredom in Egypt; they committed whoredom in their youth: there were their breasts pressed, and there were handled the teats of their virginity.{/i} (Ezek. 23:3)
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Hos. 2:15• 15{i}And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope;{/i} and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt (Hos. 2:15)
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Hos. 11:1• 1When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt. (Hos. 11:1)
may.
Psa. 124:1• 1A song of the ascents: of David.{HR}If [it were] not Jehovah who was for us,{HR}Let now Israel say; (Psa. 124:1)
• In Psalms 128, the godly contemplate the bright prospect that lies before them: in Psalms 129, they review their sorrowful past. (“Psalm 129” by H. Smith)
• (vv. 1-3) Looking back over the past Israel may say that, from the time of the nation’s childhood in Egypt, when their history as a distinct nation commenced, the nations of the world have afflicted them. (“Psalm 129” by H. Smith)
• While restored Israel enjoy peace in their land resulting from the presence of the Lord in Zion, they reflect on their afflictions received from their enemies. Many times God has used their enemies, particularly the Assyrians (Isa. 10:5), to afflict them in discipline in the past. (Israel’s “youth” refers to their early days in the land in Old Testament times). (“Book 5.” by B. Anstey)

J. N. Darby Translation

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A Song of degrees. Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth—oh let Israel say—

W. Kelly Translation

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A song of the ascents.{HR}Much have they afflicted me from my youth,{HR}Let now Israel say;