September 7 — Psalm 129

“Often have they attacked me from my youth”—let Israel now say— “often have they attacked me from my youth, yet they have not prevailed against me. The plowers plowed on my back; they made their furrows long.” The LORD is righteous; he has cut the cords of the wicked. May all who hate Zion be put to shame and turned backward. Let them be like the grass on the housetops that withers before it grows up, with which reapers do not fill their hands or binders of sheaves their arms, while those who pass by do not say, “The blessing of the LORD be upon you! We bless you in the name of the LORD!”

Why Psalm 129 was made one of the “Songs of Ascents” is unknown. It speaks to the fact that Israel had often been roughly and severely treated; and it contains a prayer that those who were the enemies of Zion might be punished in a proper manner. It would seem probable that it was composed during a time of trouble and persecution, and that the main purpose was to refer to the fact and to find consolation and support.

The principle on which it is founded is, that there is nothing to be dreaded as the result of trial, because the trials will not win the day — because the Lord is righteous.

In the Commentary on the Gospel According to Luke, the bishop of Milan expresses wonder at the gifts that G-d adds to G-d’s forgiveness: “See how good God is, and disposed to forgive sins: not only does he give back what he had taken away, but also grants unexpected gifts.”

And St. Ambrose writes, “it is one of the greatest graces of the Lord, that the very ones who denied him confess him. No one therefore should lose confidence, no one should despair of receiving the divine recompenses, even if he is remorseful of past sins. God knows how to change his mind, if you know how to amend your guilt”

Let us Pray:

Lord Jesus, your death broke the bonds of sin and death, and by your wounds we are healed. Send us your blessing, and strengthen us by your power and grace, that we may praise you now and forever.

Amen.