King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Let them be as the grass [upon] the housetops, which withereth afore it groweth up:
Complete Jewish Bible:
Let them be like grass on the roof, which dries out before it grows up
Berean Standard Bible:
May they be like grass on the rooftops, which withers before it can grow,
American Standard Version:
Let them be as the grass upon the housetops, Which withereth before it groweth up;
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Let them be as the grass{H2682} upon the housetops{H1406}, which withereth{H3001} afore{H6927} it groweth up{H8025}:
Cross-References (KJV):
Psalms 37:2
- For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
Psalms 92:7
- ¶ When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; [it is] that they shall be destroyed for ever:
2 Kings 19:26
- Therefore their inhabitants were of small power, they were dismayed and confounded; they were [as] the grass of the field, and [as] the green herb, [as] the grass on the housetops, and [as corn] blasted before it be grown up.
Isaiah 37:27
- Therefore their inhabitants [were] of small power, they were dismayed and confounded: they were [as] the grass of the field, and [as] the green herb, [as] the grass on the housetops, and [as corn] blasted before it be grown up.
Jeremiah 17:5
- ¶ Thus saith the LORD; Cursed [be] the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.
Jeremiah 17:6
- For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, [in] a salt land and not inhabited.
Matthew 13:6
- And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
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Commentary for Psalms 129:6
Psalm 129:6 is part of a community lament, specifically one of the "Songs of Ascents" (Psalms 120-134), which were likely sung by Jewish pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem for the annual festivals. These psalms express the yearning for Jerusalem and reflect on the struggles and hopes of the faithful.
In verse 6, the psalmist uses a vivid metaphor to express a curse upon the enemies of Israel: "Let them be as the grass upon the housetops, which withereth afore it groweth up." This image draws on the ancient Near Eastern practice of planting grass on flat rooftops to provide insulation and a cool space for relaxation. However, the grass on rooftops is precarious, exposed to the elements without deep soil, and thus it withers quickly without the chance to grow properly.
The theme here is one of judgment and the transience of the wicked. The psalmist is calling for the enemies of Israel to be as short-lived and fruitless as rooftop grass, which never reaches maturity due to its harsh growing conditions. Historically, this verse reflects the experiences of the Israelites, who faced constant threats from neighboring nations and sought God's protection and deliverance. The verse expresses a desire for divine retribution against those who would harm God's people, emphasizing the fleeting nature of the wicked and the ultimate triumph of righteousness. It is a prayer for God to swiftly deal with oppressors, ensuring that their efforts to harm Israel will be as futile and short-lived as grass that cannot thrive on a rooftop.
*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: H2682
There are 20 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָצִיר
Transliteration: châtsîyr
Pronunciation: khaw-tseer'
Description: perhaps originally the same as חָצִיר, from the greenness of a courtyard; grass; also a leek (collectively); grass, hay, herb, leek. - Strong's Number: H1406
There are 27 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גָּג
Transliteration: gâg
Pronunciation: gawg
Description: probably by reduplication from גָּאָה; a roof; by analogy, the top of an altar; roof (of the house), (house) top (of the house). - Strong's Number: H3001
There are 67 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָבֵשׁ
Transliteration: yâbêsh
Pronunciation: yaw-bashe'
Description: a primitive root; to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither (as herbage); be ashamed, clean, be confounded, (make) dry (up), (do) shame(-fully), [idiom] utterly, wither (away). - Strong's Number: H6927
There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קַדְמָה
Transliteration: qadmâh
Pronunciation: kad-maw'
Description: from קָדַם; priority (in time); also used adverbially (before); afore, antiquity, former (old) estate. - Strong's Number: H8025
There are 24 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁלַף
Transliteration: shâlaph
Pronunciation: saw-laf'
Description: a primitive root; to pull out, up or off; draw (off), grow up, pluck off.