Psalms 129:5

KJV

¶ Let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Zion.

KJV (with Strong's)

Let them all be confounded {H954} and turned {H5472} back {H268} that hate {H8130} Zion {H6726}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Let all who hate Tziyon be thrown back in confusion.

Berean Standard Bible

May all who hate Zion be turned back in shame.

American Standard Version

Let them be put to shame and turned backward, All they that hate Zion.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 129:5 is a fervent imprecation found within the "Songs of Ascents," a collection of psalms sung by pilgrims journeying to Jerusalem. This verse expresses a passionate plea for divine justice, calling for the utter humiliation and defeat of all those who harbor active animosity towards Zion—a multifaceted term representing God's holy city, His dwelling place, and His covenant people. It stands as a declaration of faith in God's ultimate sovereignty and His commitment to vindicate His chosen ones against their oppressors.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 129 is one of the fifteen "Songs of Ascents" (Psalms 120-134), a unique collection likely recited by pilgrims as they ascended to Jerusalem for the annual feasts. These psalms often share themes of pilgrimage, longing for God's presence, trust in divine protection, and reflections on Israel's national experience. Psalm 129 specifically functions as a national lament and a prayer for deliverance. It begins by recalling Israel's long history of affliction "from my youth" (verse 1), likening their suffering to relentless plowing on their backs (verse 3). Against this backdrop of enduring hardship and the Lord's righteous cutting of the cords of the wicked (verse 4), verse 5 transitions from a retrospective account of past deliverance to a forward-looking prayer for the future defeat of those who continue to oppose God's purposes, culminating in a curse upon them.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical context of Psalm 129 is rooted in Israel's long and often tumultuous history, marked by repeated oppression from various empires and hostile neighbors. The imagery of "plowing upon my back" (verse 3) vividly portrays the deep and painful subjugation endured by the nation, possibly referring to periods of slavery, exile, or foreign domination. Zion, in this verse, is more than just the physical city of Jerusalem or its temple mount; it embodies the spiritual heart of Israel, the place of God's covenant presence, His chosen people, and the center of His redemptive plan for the world. To "hate Zion" was not merely to oppose a city, but to stand in direct opposition to God Himself and His divine purposes for His people and the world. The psalm reflects a deep-seated communal memory of suffering and a fervent hope for divine intervention, a common sentiment among ancient peoples who saw their national identity inextricably linked to their deity.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Psalms and the broader Old Testament narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Justice**, asserting God's active involvement in the affairs of humanity to right wrongs and punish wickedness. The psalmist appeals to a righteous God who will not allow His people to be perpetually oppressed, as seen in passages like [Psalm 7:11](/psalms/7-11 "Psalm 7:11 - God is a righteous judge"). Secondly, it highlights the **Protection and Vindication of Zion**. Zion is presented as God's inviolable dwelling, and those who hate it are directly challenging God's sovereignty and His chosen place. The prayer for their confounding and turning back is a testament to the belief that God defends His holy city and, by extension, His covenant people, much like the confidence expressed in [Psalm 46:5](/psalms/46-5 "Psalm 46:5 - God is in the midst of her"). Finally, the verse speaks to the **Ultimate Defeat of Adversaries**. The desire for enemies to be "confounded and turned back" signifies their utter failure, shame, and retreat, assuring believers of God's ultimate victory over all forces of evil that oppose His kingdom and His people, a theme echoed in prophetic books like [Isaiah 41:11](/isaiah/41-11 "Isaiah 41:11 - Those who contend with you shall be as nothing").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Confounded (Hebrew, _bôš'_):** This verb carries a strong semantic range, encompassing shame, disgrace, humiliation, and disappointment. It implies a public exposure of one's futile efforts and malicious intent, leading to a profound sense of failure and dishonor. When applied to God's enemies, it signifies the public demonstration of their powerlessness against His divine will and protection.
* **Turned back (Hebrew, _sûg'_):** This word denotes retreat, drawing back, or falling away. In the context of warfare or opposition, it signifies a complete reversal of aggressive posture, a rout, or a cowardly withdrawal. It implies that the enemies' plans and advances will be utterly thwarted, forcing them into a humiliating retreat from their objectives against Zion.
* **Hate Zion (Hebrew, _śōnēʾ tsiyyôn'_):** This phrase describes not mere indifference but active, deep-seated animosity and hostility. To "hate Zion" is to hate God's chosen dwelling place, His covenant people, and by extension, God Himself and His redemptive purposes. It points to a spiritual opposition that goes beyond political or territorial disputes, touching on the very heart of God's kingdom.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Let them all be confounded":** This is a strong imprecation, a prayer-curse, calling for God to bring about a state of utter shame and humiliation upon those who oppose Zion. It is a plea for their plans to fail spectacularly and for their malicious intentions to be exposed as utterly vain and impotent. The "all" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of this desired divine judgment.
* **"and turned back":** This clause further specifies the nature of their defeat. Not only are they to be shamed, but they are also to be forced into a complete retreat. Their advances, their attacks, and their very presence are to be reversed, indicating a decisive and irreversible defeat at the hand of God.
* **"that hate Zion":** This identifies the specific targets of the imprecation: those who harbor active and malicious enmity towards God's holy city and everything it represents. This hatred is understood as a direct affront to God's sovereignty and His covenant faithfulness, thus justifying the psalmist's plea for divine retribution.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 129:5 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is **Imprecation**, a prayer or curse invoking divine wrath upon enemies. This is a common feature in the Psalms, reflecting a righteous desire for justice in a world where evil often seems to triumph. The use of the jussive mood ("Let them be confounded") expresses this fervent plea. There is also a strong element of **Personification** in the reference to "Zion." While Zion is a physical location, it stands here as a living entity, representing God's people and His spiritual kingdom, capable of being "hated." This elevates the conflict from a mere geopolitical struggle to a spiritual battle. Furthermore, the pairing of "confounded" and "turned back" creates a powerful **Parallelism**, where two distinct but complementary actions describe the complete and humiliating defeat of the adversaries. The first emphasizes their internal shame, while the second highlights their external rout, together painting a comprehensive picture of divine victory.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, while an imprecation, is deeply rooted in the theological conviction that God is righteous and just, and that He actively defends His people and His purposes. It reflects the Old Testament understanding of a covenant God who responds to the cries of His oppressed people and will ultimately bring judgment upon those who stand in opposition to His kingdom. The hatred of Zion is understood as an attack on God Himself, making divine intervention a matter of His own honor and faithfulness. This psalm, therefore, is not merely an expression of human vengeance, but a prayer for the manifestation of God's sovereign justice in the world, assuring believers that evil will not have the final word.

* [Psalm 35:4](/psalms/35-4 "Psalm 35:4 - Let them be put to shame and dishonor")
* [Psalm 125:1-2](/psalms/125-1 "Psalm 125:1-2 - Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion")
* [Isaiah 60:14](/isaiah/60-14 "Isaiah 60:14 - The sons of those who afflicted you shall come bowing down")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 129:5, while a prayer for judgment, offers profound comfort and reassurance to believers today. It reminds us that even when facing intense opposition, spiritual warfare, or the apparent triumph of wickedness, God remains sovereign and just. We are called to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us, following the example of Christ. However, this psalm also validates the righteous longing for justice and the assurance that God will ultimately vindicate His people and His truth. It encourages us to trust that no enemy, no matter how powerful or malicious, can ultimately thwart God's eternal plans for His Church or His kingdom. Our hope is not in our own strength or strategies, but in the Lord who is "righteous" (verse 4) and who will ensure that those who set themselves against His purposes will ultimately be put to shame and defeated. This verse fosters a resilient faith, knowing that God is actively working to bring about His perfect justice and establish His eternal reign.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this psalm's call for justice align with or challenge your understanding of Christian love for enemies?**
* **In what ways do you see "Zion" (God's people, His Church, His truth) being hated or opposed in the world today?**
* **How does the assurance of God's ultimate vindication strengthen your faith when facing personal or spiritual opposition?**
* **What does it mean to pray for God's justice in a way that honors both His righteousness and His mercy?**

### FAQ
**How does this imprecatory prayer align with Christian ethics of loving enemies?**

Answer: This is a crucial question that highlights the progression of divine revelation from the Old to the New Testament. While Psalms 129:5 expresses a fervent desire for God's justice and the defeat of those who actively hate Zion (representing God's people and purposes), it originates from a covenant context where God's people often faced existential threats and sought divine intervention against real, physical enemies. The New Testament, particularly through the teachings of Jesus, elevates the standard of love to include enemies, as seen in [Matthew 5:44](/matthew/5-44 "Matthew 5:44 - Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you") and [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord"). Christians are called to relinquish personal vengeance to God and to actively pursue reconciliation and love. However, the underlying theological principle of God's ultimate justice remains. Imprecatory psalms, therefore, can be understood not as a license for personal hatred or revenge, but as a recognition of God's righteous character, a cry for Him to intervene against systemic evil, and an affirmation that He will ultimately bring all injustice to account. They remind us that God, not humanity, is the ultimate arbiter of justice, and that His kingdom will prevail over all opposition.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 129:5 finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the psalmist prays for the confounding of those who hate earthly Zion, Christ's coming inaugurated the spiritual Zion, the Church, which is His body and the dwelling place of God's Spirit ([Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - You are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God")). The "hatred of Zion" now encompasses all opposition to Christ, His gospel, and His Church. The ultimate "confounding and turning back" of enemies is not merely a physical defeat but a spiritual one, achieved through Christ's victory on the cross and His resurrection. He disarmed the principalities and powers, triumphing over them ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - He disarmed the rulers and authorities")). Those who set themselves against God's kingdom, represented by the Church, will ultimately face the righteous judgment of the Lamb ([Revelation 6:16-17](/revelation/6-16 "Revelation 6:16-17 - Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb")). Conversely, those who are "in Christ" are part of the victorious Zion, assured that no weapon formed against them shall prosper ([Isaiah 54:17](/isaiah/54-17 "Isaiah 54:17 - No weapon formed against you shall prosper")). Thus, the psalmist's cry for vindication is fully realized in Christ's final triumph over sin, death, and all who oppose God's eternal purposes, establishing a kingdom that will never be confounded or turned back ([Daniel 2:44](/daniel/2-44 "Daniel 2:44 - A kingdom that shall never be destroyed")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 37:35

For I will defend this city to save it for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.

Psalms 71:13

Let them be confounded [and] consumed that are adversaries to my soul; let them be covered [with] reproach and dishonour that seek my hurt.

Psalms 83:4

They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from [being] a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.

Psalms 83:11

Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb: yea, all their princes as Zebah, and as Zalmunna:

Zechariah 12:3

And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.

Micah 4:11

Now also many nations are gathered against thee, that say, Let her be defiled, and let our eye look upon Zion.

Esther 6:13

And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends every [thing] that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai [be] of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him.