Psalm 129:3
ESV
The plowers plowed upon my back; they made long their furrows."
NIV
Plowmen have plowed my back and made their furrows long.
NASB
The plowers plowed upon my back; They lengthened their furrows.'
CSB
Plowmen plowed over my back; they made their furrows long.
NLT
My back is covered with cuts, as if a farmer had plowed long furrows.
KJV
The plowers plowed upon my back: they made long their furrows.
NKJV
The plowers plowed on my back; They made their furrows long.”
What does Psalm 129:3 mean?
This psalm notes Israel's long history of suffering at the hands of enemies (Psalm 129:1–2). The symbolism in this verse can be taken in at least two ways. Modern readers will probably imagine someone being viciously whipped or beaten; this would leave noticeable scars.However, the Hebrew phrasing used here seems to emphasize the ongoing nature of these persecutions. Plows make a continuous cut through a field, before turning around to make the next one. Making the furrows long would mean only short breaks between extended times of destruction. In the same way, Israel has experienced near-constant harassment from their foes (Exodus 1:8–14; 17:8; Judges 2:16–19; Isaiah 36:1; 2 Chronicles 36:17–21).
Jesus experienced the more literal version of this suffering prior to His crucifixion. This was predicted by Old Testament prophets (Isaiah 50:6; 53:4–5). Peter reflected on these wounds and what they represented for believers (1 Peter 2:24). The apostle Paul also experienced physical beating as a consequence of his ministry (2 Corinthians 11:23–25).
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.
