We are continuing our series of reflections on the Psalms. Each day we will upload a new reflection to the website. We hope and pray that you will find them helpful and that they bring hope during this season. Click on these buttons to read the text of the psalm or listen to a recording of it. You can also listen to the reflection using the audio player below.Read Psalm 129  Listen to Psalm 129

The psalmist looks back to the past and though he and the Israelites were oppressed, God delivered them. His suffering was intense, but God cut him free from the enemy. He describes his suffering with a vivid picture of deep furrows on his back. Could this be a picture of what was to come for Jesus (John 19:1)? Jews have continued to be slandered and persecuted through the centuries, but have survived. The church has also seen persecution and still does in many countries, but it continues grow. How would my faith stand up under torture and pain? We may not have physical persecution, but do you have someone getting at your back constantly because of your faith? There are Christians today who suffer much for their faith. Let’s pray for them to be strong in the Lord and know his presence with them.

The writer faces the enemies with defiance (verse 5) and prays for God to confound those that hate Zion. He uses another picture which would speak to people of that day. Grass sprouting on the flat, sun baked housetops, would shoot up to start with, but would wither in the heat of the sun and so there would be no harvest. He doesn’t want them to suffer as he has, but asks God to make the enemy wither and not flourish or prosper and for them to miss out on God’s blessing.

Lord, we are thankful for the times when you have rescued us. Help us to be strong in our faith when we face adversity and be prepared to speak out your truth and love.