King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
The LORD [is] righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked.
Complete Jewish Bible:
But ADONAI is righteous; he cuts me free from the yoke of the wicked.
Berean Standard Bible:
The LORD is righteous; He has cut me from the cords of the wicked.
American Standard Version:
Jehovah is righteous: He hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
The LORD{H3068} is righteous{H6662}: he hath cut asunder{H7112} the cords{H5688} of the wicked{H7563}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Psalms 119:137
- ¶ TZADDI. Righteous [art] thou, O LORD, and upright [are] thy judgments.
Lamentations 3:22
- [It is of] the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
Ezra 9:15
- O LORD God of Israel, thou [art] righteous: for we remain yet escaped, as [it is] this day: behold, we [are] before thee in our trespasses: for we cannot stand before thee because of this.
Lamentations 1:18
- The LORD is righteous; for I have rebelled against his commandment: hear, I pray you, all people, and behold my sorrow: my virgins and my young men are gone into captivity.
Nehemiah 9:33
- Howbeit thou [art] just in all that is brought upon us; for thou hast done right, but we have done wickedly:
Daniel 9:7
- O Lord, righteousness [belongeth] unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, [that are] near, and [that are] far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee.
Psalms 124:6
- ¶ Blessed [be] the LORD, who hath not given us [as] a prey to their teeth.
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Commentary for Psalms 129:4
Psalm 129 is classified as one of the "Songs of Ascents" (Psalms 120-134), which were likely sung by Israelites as they ascended to Jerusalem for the annual pilgrimage festivals. These psalms often reflect on the struggles and the faith of the nation of Israel.
Psalm 129:4, "The LORD [is] righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked," encapsulates a key theme found throughout the psalms and the broader Hebrew Bible: the righteousness of God. This verse declares that the Lord (Yahweh) is just and has intervened in history to sever the oppressive bonds imposed by the wicked. The "cords of the wicked" could be understood both metaphorically and historically, representing the various forms of oppression and injustice that the Israelites faced from their enemies throughout their history, including slavery in Egypt, captivity in Babylon, and other periods of foreign domination.
The verse reflects a deep trust in God's justice and His ability to deliver His people from the snares of their adversaries. It speaks to the experience of the Israelites who, despite suffering and persecution, maintained faith in God's righteousness and His ultimate triumph over evil. This affirmation of faith would have been particularly poignant for a people who had experienced repeated cycles of oppression and deliverance, and it serves as a reminder of God's power and faithfulness to those who trust in Him.
In summary, Psalm 129:4 is a statement of confidence in God's moral rectitude and His active role in freeing His people from the tyranny of the wicked. It is a testament to the enduring belief that, despite the trials and tribulations faced by the faithful, God's justice will prevail, and He will liberate the oppressed from the bonds of their oppressors. This verse continues to resonate with those who face injustice, offering hope and reassurance of divine intervention and deliverance.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H3068
There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהֹוָה
Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה. - Strong's Number: H6662
There are 197 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צַדִּיק
Transliteration: tsaddîyq
Pronunciation: tsad-deek'
Description: from צָדַק; just; just, lawful, righteous (man). - Strong's Number: H7112
There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קָצַץ
Transliteration: qâtsats
Pronunciation: kaw-tsats'
Description: a primitive root; to chop off (literally or figuratively); cut (asunder, in pieces, in sunder, off), [idiom] utmost. - Strong's Number: H5688
There are 23 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֲבֹת
Transliteration: ʻăbôth
Pronunciation: ab-oth'
Description: or עֲבוֹת; or (feminine) עֲבֹתָה; the same as עָבֹת; something intwined, i.e. a string, wreath or foliage; band, cord, rope, thick bough (branch), wreathen (chain). - Strong's Number: H7563
There are 249 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָשָׁע
Transliteration: râshâʻ
Pronunciation: raw-shaw'
Description: from רָשַׁע; morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person; [phrase] condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did wrong.