What does Psalm 129:2 mean?
This continues a statement claiming a long, intense pattern of persecution (Psalm 129:1). Throughout Israel's existence, it was subject to near-constant threats and attacks. They were slaves in Egypt (Exodus 1:8–14). Enemies attacked them during the exodus (Exodus 17:8). There were cycles of slavery and oppression (Judges 2:16–19). Powerful nations sent invaders (Isaiah 36—37) and even carried the people into exile (2 Chronicles 36:17–21). Even in Jesus' era, the Jewish people lived under the control of foreign nations such as Greece and Rome.As this psalm continues, it will poetically describe this persistent abuse (Psalm 129:3), then pray for Israel's enemies to face shame and loss (Psalm 129:4–7). Even polite public greetings are too much for the psalmist to offer such adversaries (Psalm 129:8)
Psalm 129:1–4 looks back on persecution and hardship. Both the psalmist and the nation of Israel have a history of being victimized (Exodus 1:8–14; Judges 2:16–19; 2 Chronicles 36:17–21). This is compared to the way fields are plowed with long, ongoing channels torn into the soil. Yet the Lord did not allow this to last forever; those bindings were cut so Israel could live on (Ezra 2:1).
The psalmist reflects on the nation of Israel, which has always been persecuted and attacked (Exodus 1:8–14; Judges 2:16–19; 2 Chronicles 36:17–21). Despite this, God preserved the people (Jeremiah 29:12–14; Ezra 2:1). This psalm includes a prayer that those who despise Israel—identified with Mount Zion (2 Samuel 5:7; 1 Kings 8:1)—would be defeated (Genesis 12:1–3). The psalmist sees no reason to offer them God's blessing, even in a casual greeting.
