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<!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 129:1 Many a time they have persecuted me from my youth--let Israel now declare--</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/129-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/19_Psa_129_001.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 129:1 - The Cords of the Wicked" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Many a time they have persecuted me from my youth--let Israel now declare--" /><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'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/psalms/129-1.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/psalms/129-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/psalms/">Psalms</a> > <a href="/psalms/129.htm">Chapter 129</a> > Verse 1</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/psalms/128-6.htm" title="Psalm 128:6">◄</a> Psalm 129:1 <a href="/psalms/129-2.htm" title="Psalm 129:2">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/psalms/129.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/psalms/129.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />A song of ascents. &#8220They have greatly oppressed me from my youth,&#8221 let Israel say;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/129.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />From my earliest youth my enemies have persecuted me. Let all Israel repeat this:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/129.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth”— let Israel now say—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/129.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />A song of ascents. Many a time they have persecuted me from my youth—let Israel now declare—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/129.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />A Song of degrees. Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth, may Israel now say:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/129.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />A Song of Ascents. “Many a time they have afflicted me from my youth,” Let Israel now say—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/129.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />A Song of Ascents. “Many times they have attacked me from my youth up,” Let Israel say,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/129.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />A Song of Ascents. &#8220Many times they have persecuted me from my youth up,&#8221 Let Israel now say,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/129.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“ Many times they have persecuted me from my youth up,” Let Israel now say,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/129.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />A Song of Ascents. “Many times they have assailed me from my youth up,” Let Israel now say,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/129.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />A Song of Ascents. “Many times they have persecuted me (Israel) from my youth,” Let Israel now say,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/129.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A song of ascents. Since my youth they have often attacked me — let Israel say —<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/129.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A song of ascents. Since my youth they have often attacked me— let Israel say— <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/129.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />A Song of Ascents. Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth up, Let Israel now say,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/129.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Since the time I was young, enemies have often attacked! Let everyone in Israel say: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/129.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />A Song of Ascents. Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth up, let Israel now say;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/129.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />[A song for going up to worship.] "From the time I was young, people have attacked me..." (Israel should repeat this.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/129.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Israel, tell us how your enemies have persecuted you ever since you were young. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/129.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Since my youth they have often persecuted me," let Israel repeat it,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/129.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />A song of ascents. Many a time they have persecuted me from my youth?let Israel now declare?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/129.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />A song of ascents. "Since my youth they have often attacked me," let Israel say. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/129.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />[A Song of Ascents.] Many times they have afflicted me from my youth up. Let Israel now say,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/129.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />A Song of degrees. Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth, may Israel now say:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/129.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />A Song of Ascents. Many times they have afflicted me from my youth up. Let Israel now say: <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/129.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />A SONG OF THE ASCENTS. Often they distressed me from my youth, "" Pray, let Israel say:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/129.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> A Song of the Ascents. Often they distressed me from my youth, Pray, let Israel say:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/129.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Song of ascensions. Much they pressed me from my youth, shall Israel now say:<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/129.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Often have they fought against me from my youth, let Israel now say. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/129.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 128:1>A Canticle in steps. They have often fought against me from my youth, let Israel now say:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/129.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />A song of ascents. Viciously have they attacked me from my youth, let Israel say now. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/129.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />“Often have they attacked me from my youth” —let Israel now say—<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/129.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />MY oppressors have been many from my youth, may Israel now say;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/129.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Israel will say, "My torturers have increased from my youth!"<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/129.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />A Song of Ascents. 'Much have they afflicted me from my youth up', Let Israel now say;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/129.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />A Song of Degrees. Many a time have they warred against me from my youth, let Israel now say:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/129-1.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=16423" 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">1</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7892.htm" title="7892: šîr (N-msc) -- A song, singing. Or feminine shiyrah; from shiyr; a song; abstractly, singing.">A song</a> <a href="/hebrew/4609.htm" title="4609: ham·ma·‘ă·lō·wṯ (Art:: N-fp) -- Feminine of ma'aleh; elevation, i.e. The act, or the condition; specifically a climactic progression.">of ascents.</a> <a href="/hebrew/7227.htm" title="7227: rab·baṯ (Adj-fsc) -- Much, many, great. By contracted from rabab; abundant."> Many a time</a> <a href="/hebrew/6887.htm" title="6887: ṣə·rā·rū·nî (V-Qal-Perf-3cp:: 1cs) -- A primitive root; to cramp, literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive.">they have persecuted me</a> <a href="/hebrew/5271.htm" title="5271: min·nə·‘ū·ray (Prep-m:: N-mpc:: 1cs) -- Or naur; and nturah; properly, passive participle from na'ar as denominative; youth, the state or the persons.">from my youth—</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">let Israel</a> <a href="/hebrew/4994.htm" title="4994: nā (Interjection) -- I (we) pray, now. ">now</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: yō·mar- (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">declare—</a> </span><span class="reftext">2</span>many a time they have persecuted me from my youth, but they have not prevailed against me.…<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="/exodus/1-12.htm">Exodus 1:12</a></span><br />But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and flourished; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/51-23.htm">Isaiah 51:23</a></span><br />I will place it in the hands of your tormentors, who told you: ‘Lie down, so we can walk over you,’ so that you made your back like the ground, like a street to be traversed.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/30-16.htm">Jeremiah 30:16</a></span><br />Nevertheless, all who devour you will be devoured, and all your adversaries—every one of them—will go off into exile. Those who plundered you will be plundered, and all who raided you will be raided.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/4-8.htm">2 Corinthians 4:8-9</a></span><br />We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; / persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-35.htm">Romans 8:35-37</a></span><br />Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? / As it is written: “For Your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” / No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/3-11.htm">2 Timothy 3:11</a></span><br />my persecutions, and the sufferings that came upon me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured! Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/14-22.htm">Acts 14:22</a></span><br />strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith. “We must endure many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-10.htm">Matthew 5:10-12</a></span><br />Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. / Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. / Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/15-18.htm">John 15:18-20</a></span><br />If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. / If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. / Remember the word that I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they kept My word, they will keep yours as well.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/4-12.htm">1 Peter 4:12-14</a></span><br />Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you. / But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory. / If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/49-25.htm">Isaiah 49:25-26</a></span><br />Indeed, this is what the LORD says: “Even the captives of the mighty will be taken away, and the plunder of the tyrant will be retrieved; I will contend with those who contend with you, and I will save your children. / I will make your oppressors eat their own flesh; they will be drunk on their own blood, as with wine. Then all mankind will know that I, the LORD, am your Savior and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/7-8.htm">Micah 7:8-10</a></span><br />Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will arise; though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light. / Because I have sinned against Him, I must endure the rage of the LORD, until He argues my case and executes justice for me. He will bring me into the light; I will see His righteousness. / Then my enemy will see and will be covered with shame—she who said to me, “Where is the LORD your God?” My eyes will see her; at that time she will be trampled like mud in the streets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/3-34.htm">Lamentations 3:34-36</a></span><br />To crush underfoot all the prisoners of the land, / to deny a man justice before the Most High, / to subvert a man in his lawsuit—of these the Lord does not approve.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/9-27.htm">Nehemiah 9:27</a></span><br />So You delivered them into the hands of enemies who oppressed them, and in their time of distress they cried out to You. From heaven You heard them, and in Your great compassion You gave them deliverers who saved them from the hands of their enemies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/2-18.htm">Judges 2:18</a></span><br />Whenever the LORD raised up a judge for the Israelites, He was with that judge and saved them from the hands of their enemies while the judge was still alive; for the LORD was moved to pity by their groaning under those who oppressed them and afflicted them.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth, may Israel now say:</p><p class="hdg">A.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezra/4-1.htm">Ezra 4:1</a></b></br> Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the LORD God of Israel;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/120-1.htm">Psalm 120:1</a></b></br> A Song of degrees. In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/121-1.htm">Psalm 121:1</a></b></br> A Song of degrees. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.</p><p class="hdg">many.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/1-12.htm">Exodus 1:12-14,22</a></b></br> But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/5-7.htm">Exodus 5:7-19</a></b></br> Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore: let them go and gather straw for themselves… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/2-15.htm">Judges 2:15</a></b></br> Whithersoever they went out, the hand of the LORD was against them for evil, as the LORD had said, and as the LORD had sworn unto them: and they were greatly distressed.</p><p class="hdg">from</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/2-2.htm">Jeremiah 2:2</a></b></br> Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the LORD; I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest after me in the wilderness, in a land <i>that was</i> not sown.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/23-3.htm">Ezekiel 23:3</a></b></br> And they committed whoredoms in Egypt; they committed whoredoms in their youth: there were their breasts pressed, and there they bruised the teats of their virginity.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hosea/2-15.htm">Hosea 2:15</a></b></br> And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: 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.</p><p class="hdg">may</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/124-1.htm">Psalm 124:1</a></b></br> A Song of degrees of David. If <i>it had</i> not <i>been</i> the LORD who was on our side, now may Israel say;</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/119-107.htm">Afflicted</a> <a href="/psalms/128-6.htm">Ascents</a> <a href="/psalms/128-1.htm">Degrees</a> <a href="/job/32-18.htm">Distressed</a> <a href="/psalms/126-3.htm">Great</a> <a href="/psalms/123-4.htm">Greatly</a> <a href="/psalms/128-6.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/psalms/78-40.htm">Often</a> <a href="/psalms/106-42.htm">Oppressed</a> <a href="/psalms/119-161.htm">Persecuted</a> <a href="/psalms/128-6.htm">Song</a> <a href="/psalms/119-107.htm">Sorely</a> <a href="/psalms/125-2.htm">Time</a> <a href="/psalms/119-164.htm">Times</a> <a href="/psalms/119-92.htm">Troubles</a> <a href="/psalms/128-1.htm">Up&Gt</a> <a href="/psalms/127-4.htm">Young</a> <a href="/psalms/127-4.htm">Youth</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/129-2.htm">Afflicted</a> <a href="/psalms/129-8.htm">Ascents</a> <a href="/psalms/130-1.htm">Degrees</a> <a href="/psalms/129-2.htm">Distressed</a> <a href="/psalms/129-2.htm">Great</a> <a href="/psalms/129-2.htm">Greatly</a> <a href="/psalms/130-7.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/psalms/129-2.htm">Often</a> <a href="/psalms/129-2.htm">Oppressed</a> <a href="/psalms/129-2.htm">Persecuted</a> <a href="/psalms/129-8.htm">Song</a> <a href="/psalms/129-2.htm">Sorely</a> <a href="/psalms/129-2.htm">Time</a> <a href="/psalms/129-2.htm">Times</a> <a href="/psalms/129-2.htm">Troubles</a> <a href="/psalms/130-1.htm">Up&Gt</a> <a href="/psalms/129-2.htm">Young</a> <a href="/psalms/129-2.htm">Youth</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 />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <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>A song of ascents.</b><br>This phrase indicates that <a href="/psalms/129.htm">Psalm 129</a> is part of the Songs of Ascents, a collection of Psalms (120-134) traditionally sung by Hebrew pilgrims as they ascended to Jerusalem for the three major feasts: Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. The ascent is both physical, as Jerusalem is situated on a hill, and spiritual, symbolizing drawing closer to God. The term "ascents" may also reflect the spiritual journey of the believer, moving towards a deeper relationship with God.<p><b>Many a time they have persecuted me from my youth—</b><br>This phrase reflects the historical suffering and persecution of Israel, beginning from its early formation as a nation. The "youth" of Israel can be seen as the period of the Exodus and the subsequent settlement in the Promised Land. Throughout history, Israel faced numerous adversities, including slavery in Egypt, oppression by surrounding nations, and later exiles. This persecution is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, highlighting the resilience and faithfulness of God's people despite adversity. It also foreshadows the suffering of Christ, who was persecuted from His youth, fulfilling the prophecy of the suffering servant in <a href="/isaiah/53.htm">Isaiah 53</a>.<p><b>let Israel now declare—</b><br>This call to declaration serves as a communal affirmation of shared experiences and faith. It invites the nation of Israel to collectively acknowledge their history of persecution and God's deliverance. This communal aspect is significant in Jewish culture, where oral tradition and collective memory play crucial roles in maintaining identity and faith. The phrase encourages unity and solidarity among the people, reminding them of God's past faithfulness and inspiring hope for future deliverance. This declaration can also be seen as a type of testimony, paralleling the Christian call to witness and proclaim God's works in one's life.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The nation of Israel is central to this verse. It represents the collective people of God who have faced persecution throughout their history, from their early days in Egypt to various captivities and oppressions.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/p/persecutors.htm">Persecutors</a></b><br>While not named specifically, the persecutors are those who have oppressed Israel throughout its history. This includes various nations and peoples who have sought to harm or subjugate Israel.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/y/youth_of_israel.htm">Youth of Israel</a></b><br>This refers to the early history of Israel, possibly alluding to the time of the patriarchs, the Egyptian bondage, or the early days in the Promised Land.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/h/historical_perseverance.htm">Historical Perseverance</a></b><br>The history of Israel is marked by perseverance through persecution. Believers today can draw strength from this legacy, knowing that God is faithful through trials.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/collective_testimony.htm">Collective Testimony</a></b><br>The call for Israel to declare their persecution is a reminder of the power of collective testimony. Sharing our struggles and God's deliverance can strengthen the faith community.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness.htm">God's Faithfulness</a></b><br>Despite repeated persecution, Israel's survival is a testament to God's unwavering faithfulness. Christians can trust in God's promises and protection in their own lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_warfare.htm">Spiritual Warfare</a></b><br>The persecution of Israel is a reminder of the spiritual warfare believers face. We must remain vigilant and rely on God's strength to overcome.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/endurance_in_faith.htm">Endurance in Faith</a></b><br>Just as Israel endured, Christians are called to endure in their faith, trusting that God will ultimately deliver and vindicate them.<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/does_psalm_129_1-2_match_israel's_history.htm">How does Psalm 129:1–2 align with historical records of Israel’s early afflictions, and is there evidence outside the Bible to confirm such repeated oppression?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_are_believers_immovable_like_mount_zion.htm">In Psalm 125:1, how can believers be said to be as immovable as Mount Zion when history shows faithful people often displaced or persecuted?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_'plowers_plowing'_literal_or_metaphorical.htm">Is the imagery of 'plowers plowing' on the Psalmist's back (Psalm 129:3) meant to be literal or metaphorical, and how do we reconcile it with scientific or historical plausibility?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_psalm_144's_prosperity_match_david's_era.htm">How does the prosperity promised in Psalm 144:12-14 align with available historical and archaeological evidence about David's reign?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/129.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(1) <span class= "bld">Many a time.</span>--Or more literally, <span class= "ital">much. </span>(See margin.)<p><span class= "bld">From my youth.</span>--Here, of course, not the youth of a person, but of the nation. The poet glances back even to the Egyptian bondage. (See <a href="/hosea/2-15.htm" title="And I will give her her vineyards from there, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: 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.">Hosea 2:15</a>, "as in the days of her youth, and as in the days when she came up out of the land of Egypt;" comp. <a href="/ezekiel/23-3.htm" title="And they committed prostitutions in Egypt; they committed prostitutions in their youth: there were their breasts pressed, and there they bruised the teats of their virginity.">Ezekiel 23:3</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/2-2.htm" title="Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus said the LORD; I remember you, the kindness of your youth, the love of your espousals, when you went after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown.">Jeremiah 2:2</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/22-21.htm" title="I spoke to you in your prosperity; but you said, I will not hear. This has been your manner from your youth, that you obeyed not my voice.">Jeremiah 22:21</a>, recalling all the long series of oppressions suffered by the race.)<p><span class= "bld">May Israel now say.</span>--There is in the original no adverb of <span class= "ital">time: </span>"let Israel say."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/129.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 1.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth</span>. Israel's recollection is one of frequent, almost constant, "affliction." She has been downtrodden beneath the feet of Egyptians, Moabites, Mesopotamians, Canaanites, Ammonites, Philistines, Syrians. Assyrians, Babylonians. Her sufferings began in her extreme youth, as soon as she was a nation (<a href="/exodus/1-11.htm">Exodus 1:11-22</a>). <span class="cmt_word">May Israel now say</span>; rather, <span class="accented">let</span> <span class="accented">Israel now say</span>. The psalmist directs his countrymen to look back upon their past history. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/129-1.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">A Song</span><br /><span class="heb">שִׁ֗יר</span> <span class="translit">(šîr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7892.htm">Strong's 7892: </a> </span><span class="str2">A song, singing</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Ascents.</span><br /><span class="heb">הַֽמַּ֫עֲל֥וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(ham·ma·‘ă·lō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4609.htm">Strong's 4609: </a> </span><span class="str2">Elevation, the act, the condition, a climactic progression</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Many a time</span><br /><span class="heb">רַ֭בַּת</span> <span class="translit">(rab·baṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7227.htm">Strong's 7227: </a> </span><span class="str2">Much, many, great</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they have persecuted me</span><br /><span class="heb">צְרָר֣וּנִי</span> <span class="translit">(ṣə·rā·rū·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6887.htm">Strong's 6887: </a> </span><span class="str2">To bind, tie up, be restricted, narrow, scant, or cramped</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from my youth—</span><br /><span class="heb">מִנְּעוּרַ֑י</span> <span class="translit">(min·nə·‘ū·ray)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5271.htm">Strong's 5271: </a> </span><span class="str2">Youth, the state, the persons</span><br /><br /><span class="word">let Israel</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃</span> <span class="translit">(yiś·rā·’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> </span><span class="str2">Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc</span><br /><br /><span class="word">now</span><br /><span class="heb">נָ֝א</span> <span class="translit">(nā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4994.htm">Strong's 4994: </a> </span><span class="str2">I pray', 'now', 'then'</span><br /><br /><span class="word">declare—</span><br /><span class="heb">יֹֽאמַר־</span> <span class="translit">(yō·mar-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/129-1.htm">Psalm 129:1 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/129-1.htm">Psalm 129:1 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/129-1.htm">Psalm 129:1 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/129-1.htm">Psalm 129:1 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/129-1.htm">Psalm 129:1 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/129-1.htm">Psalm 129:1 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/129-1.htm">Psalm 129:1 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/129-1.htm">Psalm 129:1 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/129-1.htm">Psalm 129:1 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/129-1.htm">Psalm 129:1 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/129-1.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 129:1 A Song of Ascents (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/128-6.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 128:6"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 128:6" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/129-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 129:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 129:2" /></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>