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Psalm 129:7 unable to fill the hands of the reaper, or the arms of the binder of sheaves.
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 129:7 unable to fill the hands of the reaper, or the arms of the binder of sheaves.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/129-7.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/19_Psa_129_007.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 129:7 - The Cords of the Wicked" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="unable to fill the hands of the reaper, or the arms of the binder of sheaves." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/129.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />With which the reaper does not fill his hand, Nor he who binds sheaves, his arms.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/129.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />With which the harvester does not fill his hand, Or the binder of sheaves his arms;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/129.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />With which the reaper does not fill his hand, Or the binder of sheaves his bosom;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/129.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />With which the reaper does not fill his hand, Or the binder of sheaves his bosom;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/129.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />With which the reaper does not fill his hand, Nor the binder of sheaves the fold of his garment;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/129.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />With which the reaper does not fill his hand, Nor the binder of sheaves his arms,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/129.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />and can’t even fill the hands of the reaper or the arms of the one who binds sheaves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/129.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />and can’t even fill the hands of the reaper or the arms of the one who binds sheaves. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/129.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Wherewith the reaper filleth not his hand, Nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/129.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Don't let them be like wheat gathered in bundles. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/129.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Wherewith the reaper filleth not his hand, nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/129.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />It will never fill the barns of those who harvest or the arms of those who gather bundles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/129.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />no one gathers it up or carries it away in bundles. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/129.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />not enough to fill one's hand or to bundle in one's arms.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/129.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />unable to fill the hands of the reaper, or the arms of the binder of sheaves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/129.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />which cannot fill the reaper's hand, or the lap of the one who gathers the grain! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/129.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />with which the reaper doesn't fill his hand, nor he who binds sheaves, his bosom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/129.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />With which the mower filleth not his hand; nor he that bindeth sheaves, his bosom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/129.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />with which the reaper doesn’t fill his hand, nor he who binds sheaves, his bosom. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/129.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />That has not filled the hand of a reaper, "" And the bosom of a binder of sheaves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/129.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> That hath not filled the hand of a reaper, And the bosom of a binder of sheaves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/129.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />He harvesting filled not his hand; and he heaping together, not his arm.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/129.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand: nor he that gathereth sheaves his bosom. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/129.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 128:7>with it, he who reaps does not fill his hand and he who gathers sheaves does not fill his bosom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/129.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Never to fill the reaper’s hands, nor the arms of the binders of sheaves, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/129.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />with which reapers do not fill their hands or binders of sheaves their arms,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/129.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Wherewith the reaper fills not his hand, nor he who binds sheaves his bosom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/129.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the reaper does not fill his palm with it, neither does the sheave binder strip it.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/129.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Wherewith the reaper filleth not his hand, Nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/129.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Wherewith the reaper fills not his hand, nor he that makes up the sheaves, his bosom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/129-7.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=16460" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/129.htm">The Cords of the Wicked</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">6</span>May they be like grass on the rooftops, which withers before it can grow, <span class="reftext">7</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: šel·lō (Pro-r:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">unable</a> <a href="/hebrew/4390.htm" title="4390: mil·lê (V-Piel-Perf-3ms) -- To be full, to fill. Or malae; a primitive root, to fill or be full of, in a wide application.">to fill</a> <a href="/hebrew/3709.htm" title="3709: ḵap·pōw (N-fsc:: 3ms) -- Hollow or flat of the hand, palm, sole (of the foot), a pan. From kaphaph; the hollow hand or palm; figuratively, power.">the hands</a> <a href="/hebrew/7114.htm" title="7114: qō·w·ṣêr (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To dock off, curtail, to harvest. A primitive root; to dock off, i.e. Curtail; especially to harvest.">of the reaper,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2683.htm" title="2683: wə·ḥiṣ·nōw (Conj-w:: N-msc:: 3ms) -- Bosom (of a garment). From an unused root meaning to hold firmly; the bosom.">or the arms</a> <a href="/hebrew/6014.htm" title="6014: mə·‘am·mêr (V-Piel-Prtcpl-ms) -- To gather grain. A primitive root; properly, apparently to heap; figuratively, to chastise; specifically to gather grain.">of the binder of sheaves.</a> </span><span class="reftext">8</span>May none who pass by say to them, “The blessing of the LORD be on you; we bless you in the name of the LORD.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/17-5.htm">Isaiah 17:5</a></span><br />as the reaper gathers the standing grain and harvests the ears with his arm, as one gleans heads of grain in the Valley of Rephaim.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/24-6.htm">Job 24:6</a></span><br />They gather fodder in the fields and glean the vineyards of the wicked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/9-22.htm">Jeremiah 9:22</a></span><br />Declare that this is what the LORD says: “The corpses of men will fall like dung upon the open field, like newly cut grain behind the reaper, with no one to gather it.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/6-15.htm">Micah 6:15</a></span><br />You will sow but not reap; you will press olives but not anoint yourselves with oil; you will tread grapes but not drink the wine.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/5-11.htm">Amos 5:11</a></span><br />Therefore, because you trample on the poor and exact from him a tax of grain, you will never live in the stone houses you have built; you will never drink the wine from the lush vineyards you have planted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/28-38.htm">Deuteronomy 28:38-40</a></span><br />You will sow much seed in the field but harvest little, because the locusts will consume it. / You will plant and cultivate vineyards, but will neither drink the wine nor gather the grapes, because worms will eat them. / You will have olive trees throughout your territory but will never anoint yourself with oil, because the olives will drop off.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joel/1-11.htm">Joel 1:11-12</a></span><br />Be dismayed, O farmers, wail, O vinedressers, over the wheat and barley, because the harvest of the field has perished. / The grapevine is dried up, and the fig tree is withered; the pomegranate, palm, and apple—all the trees of the orchard—are withered. Surely the joy of mankind has dried up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/haggai/1-6.htm">Haggai 1:6</a></span><br />You have planted much but harvested little. You eat but never have enough. You drink but never have your fill. You put on clothes but never get warm. You earn wages to put into a bag pierced through.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/26-16.htm">Leviticus 26:16</a></span><br />then this is what I will do to you: I will bring upon you sudden terror, wasting disease, and fever that will destroy your sight and drain your life. You will sow your seed in vain, because your enemies will eat it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/20-4.htm">Proverbs 20:4</a></span><br />The slacker does not plow in season; at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/13-30.htm">Matthew 13:30</a></span><br />Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat into my barn.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/3-17.htm">Luke 3:17</a></span><br />His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather the wheat into His barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/4-35.htm">John 4:35</a></span><br />Do you not say, ‘There are still four months until the harvest’? I tell you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are ripe for harvest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/9-37.htm">Matthew 9:37-38</a></span><br />Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. / Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/5-7.htm">James 5:7</a></span><br />Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer awaits the precious fruit of the soil—how patient he is for the fall and spring rains.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">With which the mower fills not his hand; nor he that binds sheaves his bosom.</p><p class="hdg">he that bindeth</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/126-6.htm">Psalm 126:6</a></b></br> He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves <i>with him</i>.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/17-10.htm">Isaiah 17:10,11</a></b></br> Because thou hast forgotten the God of thy salvation, and hast not been mindful of the rock of thy strength, therefore shalt thou plant pleasant plants, and shalt set it with strange slips: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hosea/8-7.htm">Hosea 8:7</a></b></br> For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/126-6.htm">Arms</a> <a href="/psalms/119-61.htm">Bands</a> <a href="/psalms/58-5.htm">Binder</a> <a href="/job/36-13.htm">Bindeth</a> <a href="/job/36-13.htm">Binds</a> <a href="/psalms/89-50.htm">Bosom</a> <a href="/psalms/110-6.htm">Fill</a> <a href="/psalms/126-3.htm">Filled</a> <a href="/psalms/110-6.htm">Filleth</a> <a href="/psalms/41-6.htm">Gathers</a> <a href="/psalms/49-18.htm">Gets</a> <a href="/psalms/126-6.htm">Grain</a> <a href="/joel/2-5.htm">Grain-Stems</a> <a href="/psalms/127-4.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/psalms/128-2.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/john/4-37.htm">Reaper</a> <a href="/psalms/126-6.htm">Sheaves</a> <a href="/psalms/127-2.htm">Use</a> <a href="/psalms/119-42.htm">Wherewith</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/5-20.htm">Arms</a> <a href="/psalms/147-13.htm">Bands</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-7.htm">Binder</a> <a href="/psalms/147-3.htm">Bindeth</a> <a href="/psalms/147-3.htm">Binds</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-20.htm">Bosom</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-13.htm">Fill</a> <a href="/psalms/144-13.htm">Filled</a> <a href="/psalms/147-14.htm">Filleth</a> <a href="/psalms/147-2.htm">Gathers</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-13.htm">Gets</a> <a href="/psalms/147-14.htm">Grain</a> <a href="/joel/2-5.htm">Grain-Stems</a> <a href="/psalms/136-12.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/psalms/134-2.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/isaiah/17-5.htm">Reaper</a> <a href="/jeremiah/9-22.htm">Sheaves</a> <a href="/psalms/144-1.htm">Use</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-27.htm">Wherewith</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 129</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/129-1.htm">An exhortation to praise God for saving Israel in their great afflictions</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/129-5.htm">The haters of the church are cursed</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/129.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/129.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>unable to fill the hands of the reaper</b><br>This phrase suggests a lack of harvest, symbolizing the futility of the efforts of the wicked. In ancient Israel, reaping was a significant agricultural activity, and a bountiful harvest was seen as a blessing from God (<a href="/deuteronomy/28-4.htm">Deuteronomy 28:4</a>). The inability to fill the hands of the reaper indicates divine judgment and the absence of God's favor. This imagery is consistent with the biblical theme that the wicked will not prosper (<a href="/psalms/1-4.htm">Psalm 1:4-6</a>). The reaper, often a symbol of God's judgment (<a href="/matthew/13-39.htm">Matthew 13:39</a>), finds nothing to gather, highlighting the ultimate emptiness of a life lived in opposition to God.<p><b>or the arms of the binder of sheaves</b><br>The binder of sheaves would gather and tie the harvested grain, a task that signifies completion and abundance. In the context of <a href="/psalms/129.htm">Psalm 129</a>, the inability to fill the arms of the binder underscores the totality of the judgment against the wicked. This imagery contrasts with the blessings promised to the righteous, who are like fruitful trees (<a href="/psalms/1-3.htm">Psalm 1:3</a>). The sheaves can also be seen as a metaphor for the gathering of God's people, as in the parable of the wheat and the tares (<a href="/matthew/13-24.htm">Matthew 13:24-30</a>), where the righteous are gathered into God's barn. The absence of sheaves for the wicked suggests their exclusion from God's ultimate harvest, a theme echoed in the separation of the sheep and goats (<a href="/matthew/25-31.htm">Matthew 25:31-46</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/r/reaper.htm">Reaper</a></b><br>In ancient agricultural societies, the reaper was responsible for harvesting crops. This imagery is used to convey the futility of the efforts of the wicked against God's people.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/b/binder_of_sheaves.htm">Binder of Sheaves</a></b><br>This person would gather and bind the harvested grain into sheaves. The absence of sheaves signifies a lack of success or fruitfulness.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The nation of Israel is the context for this Psalm, often representing God's chosen people who have faced oppression but are ultimately under His protection.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/o/oppressors.htm">Oppressors</a></b><br>The enemies of Israel who have sought to harm and subdue them throughout history, yet their efforts are ultimately in vain.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/h/harvest.htm">Harvest</a></b><br>A significant event in agrarian cultures, symbolizing abundance and blessing. The lack of harvest here symbolizes the failure of the wicked.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_oppression.htm">The Futility of Oppression</a></b><br>The efforts of those who oppose God's people are ultimately fruitless. Just as the reaper finds no harvest, so too will the plans of the wicked come to nothing.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereign_protection.htm">God's Sovereign Protection</a></b><br>Despite the oppression faced by God's people, He ensures that their enemies do not succeed. This is a reminder of God's faithfulness and protection over His people.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_fruitfulness.htm">Spiritual Fruitfulness</a></b><br>True fruitfulness comes from abiding in God. The imagery of an empty harvest serves as a warning against living apart from God's will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/perseverance_in_faith.htm">Perseverance in Faith</a></b><br>Believers are encouraged to remain steadfast in their faith, knowing that God sees their struggles and will ultimately vindicate them.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_righteous_living.htm">The Importance of Righteous Living</a></b><br>Just as a fruitful harvest is a result of diligent work and favorable conditions, a life that honors God results in spiritual blessings and fulfillment.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_129.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 129</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_the_bible's_songs_of_ascent.htm">What are the Songs of Ascent in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_god's_righteousness_and_enemy_defeat_coexist.htm">Why does Psalm 129:4 emphasize God's righteousness when the text also calls for the enemies' defeat--can both themes coexist without contradiction?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_psalm_7_8_contradict_romans_3_10.htm">If Psalm 7:8 claims personal righteousness, does this contradict the broader biblical teaching of universal sinfulness (e.g., Romans 3:10)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_psalm_2_7_contradict_jesus'_sonship.htm">Does Psalm 2:7 contradict the exclusive claim of Jesus' divine sonship by calling the king 'begotten' as well?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/129.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 7.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand</span>. Which is so worthless that no one takes the trouble to mow it. <span class="cmt_word">Nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom.</span> Much less does any one bind it into sheaves and store it away. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/129-7.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">unable</span><br /><span class="heb">שֶׁלֹּ֤א</span> <span class="translit">(šel·lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to fill</span><br /><span class="heb">מִלֵּ֖א</span> <span class="translit">(mil·lê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4390.htm">Strong's 4390: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fill, be full of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the hands</span><br /><span class="heb">כַפּ֥וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(ḵap·pōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3709.htm">Strong's 3709: </a> </span><span class="str2">Hollow or flat of the hand, palm, sole (of the foot), a pan</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the reaper,</span><br /><span class="heb">קוֹצֵ֗ר</span> <span class="translit">(qō·w·ṣêr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7114.htm">Strong's 7114: </a> </span><span class="str2">To dock off, curtail, to harvest</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or the arms</span><br /><span class="heb">וְחִצְנ֥וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḥiṣ·nōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2683.htm">Strong's 2683: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bosom (of a garment)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the one who binds sheaves.</span><br /><span class="heb">מְעַמֵּֽר׃</span> <span class="translit">(mə·‘am·mêr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6014.htm">Strong's 6014: </a> </span><span class="str2">To gather grain</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/129-7.htm">Psalm 129:7 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/129-7.htm">Psalm 129:7 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/129-7.htm">Psalm 129:7 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/129-7.htm">Psalm 129:7 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/129-7.htm">Psalm 129:7 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/129-7.htm">Psalm 129:7 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/129-7.htm">Psalm 129:7 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/129-7.htm">Psalm 129:7 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/129-7.htm">Psalm 129:7 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/129-7.htm">Psalm 129:7 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/129-7.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 129:7 With which the reaper doesn't fill his (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/129-6.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 129:6"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 129:6" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/129-8.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 129:8"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 129:8" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>