Psalms 129:6

KJV

Let them be as the grass [upon] the housetops, which withereth afore it groweth up:

KJV (with Strong's)

Let them be as the grass {H2682} upon the housetops {H1406}, which withereth {H3001} afore {H6927} it groweth up {H8025}:

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;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 129:6 employs a potent agricultural metaphor to vividly portray the transient and ultimately futile nature of those who oppose God's people. It declares with prophetic certainty that the apparent prosperity or influence of the wicked is superficial and short-lived, destined to wither and vanish before it can establish any lasting foundation or yield meaningful fruit, thus affirming divine justice and the ultimate vindication of the righteous.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 129 is one of the "Songs of Ascents" (Psalms 120-134), traditionally sung by pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem for the annual festivals. It functions as a communal lament and prayer of confidence, reflecting on Israel's long history of affliction "from [its] youth" ([Psalms 129:1](/psalms/129-1 "Psalm 129:1 - Israel's Enduring Affliction")). Despite enduring persistent oppression, the psalmist expresses unwavering trust in the Lord's righteousness and His ultimate intervention to "cut asunder the cords of the wicked" ([Psalms 129:4](/psalms/129-4 "Psalm 129:4 - The Lord's Righteous Deliverance")). Verses 5-8 shift from lament to an imprecatory prayer or prophetic declaration concerning the fate of "all them that hate Zion" ([Psalms 129:5](/psalms/129-5 "Psalm 129:5 - The Fate of Zion's Haters")), with verse 6 specifically detailing their swift and inevitable downfall through the vivid metaphor of perishing grass.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of "grass upon the housetops" is deeply rooted in the agricultural and architectural realities of ancient Israel. Houses often featured flat roofs constructed from packed earth, sometimes mixed with straw or clay. While seeds carried by wind or birds might occasionally land on these roofs and sprout after seasonal rains, the extremely shallow soil and lack of consistent moisture prevented them from developing deep, sustaining root systems. Consequently, such sprouts would quickly "withereth afore it groweth up," dying off rapidly under the sun's heat before they could mature, bear grain, or offer any substantial benefit. This observation was a common cultural understanding, making the metaphor immediately relatable and impactful to the original audience, conveying a sense of inevitable, premature decay.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Psalms and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the **futility of oppression**, asserting that the efforts and apparent success of those who afflict God's people are ultimately without substance or lasting power, as seen in the fleeting nature of the wicked's prosperity throughout [Psalm 37](/psalms/37 "Psalm 37 - The Destiny of the Righteous and the Wicked"). Secondly, it implicitly declares **divine justice**, affirming God's righteous judgment against the wicked, ensuring their plans do not prosper and they will not endure, reinforcing the principle that "the way of the ungodly shall perish" ([Psalms 1:6](/psalms/1-6 "Psalm 1:6 - The Way of the Ungodly")). Lastly, it highlights the **perishable nature of evil** itself; like the grass on the housetops, evil and its proponents lack deep roots and cannot sustain themselves, destined to wither quickly and completely, a truth echoed in prophetic warnings about the fleeting glory of humanity ([Isaiah 40:6-8](/isaiah/40-6 "Isaiah 40:6-8 - The Word of God Endures Forever")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Grass (Hebrew, _chatsir'_):** This term refers to common vegetation, often wild grass or herbs. Throughout Scripture, "grass" is frequently used as a metaphor for the brevity, fragility, and transient nature of human life or earthly prosperity, especially in contrast to the enduring Word of God or the eternal nature of the righteous. Here, its specific context on the housetops amplifies its inherent weakness.
* **Housetops (Hebrew, _gaggot'_):** In ancient Israel, housetops were flat, made of packed earth, and served various purposes, but were notably unsuitable for sustained agriculture. The presence of grass on them signifies accidental, superficial growth, lacking the necessary depth of soil and moisture for proper rooting and maturation. This detail is crucial for the metaphor's emphasis on lack of foundation.
* **Withereth (Hebrew, _yibbash'_):** This verb means to dry up, to be parched, or to fade away. It denotes a process of decay and death due to lack of sustenance, specifically moisture. In the context of the grass, it implies a rapid, inevitable, and complete cessation of life or growth, highlighting the swift and irreversible demise of that which has no true foundation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Let them be as the grass [upon] the housetops":** This opening clause functions as both an imprecation (a prayer or wish for judgment) and a prophetic declaration. The "them" refers directly to "all them that hate Zion" from [Psalms 129:5](/psalms/129-5 "Psalm 129:5 - The Fate of Zion's Haters"), the enemies and oppressors of God's people. The simile immediately draws a comparison to a plant that sprouts in the most inhospitable of environments – the shallow, dry soil of a flat rooftop. This image sets the stage for portraying their existence or prosperity as inherently unstable, superficial, and lacking any genuine foundation.
* **"which withereth afore it groweth up":** This second clause completes and intensifies the metaphor. It emphasizes the swiftness and inevitability of the demise of the "grass." Unlike plants rooted in fertile ground that mature and bear fruit, this rooftop grass dies prematurely, before it can even fully develop or produce anything substantial. This signifies the utter futility and lack of lasting impact or success for the wicked; their apparent flourishing is deceptive, destined to vanish quickly and completely, never reaching a state of true prosperity or enduring power.

#### Literary Devices
The verse is rich in **Imagery**, painting a vivid picture of fragile, doomed vegetation. The central device is a powerful **Simile**, explicitly comparing the enemies of Zion ("them") to "the grass upon the housetops." This simile is extended into a full **Metaphor**, where the entire scenario of the grass's short, unproductive life represents the transient and ultimately futile nature of the wicked's apparent success. The verse also functions as an **Imprecation** or **Prophetic Declaration**, expressing a desire for and proclaiming the certainty of divine judgment against those who oppose God's people. The **Contrast** between the brief, unproductive life of the rooftop grass and the implied enduring nature of God's people (or the fertile, productive life of well-rooted plants) further amplifies the message of ultimate divine justice.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 129:6 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of divine justice and the ultimate destiny of the wicked versus the righteous. It reassures believers that while evil may seem to flourish temporarily, its success is always superficial and lacks deep roots, making it inherently unsustainable. This truth underscores God's sovereign control over history and His unwavering commitment to vindicate His people, ensuring that those who oppose His purposes will inevitably face a swift and decisive end. The verse reminds us that true prosperity and enduring life are found only in alignment with God's will, not in worldly power or fleeting gains.

* [Psalm 37:2](/psalms/37-2 "Psalm 37:2 - The Wicked Wither Like Grass")
* [Isaiah 40:7](/isaiah/40-7 "Isaiah 40:7 - The Grass Withers, the Flower Fades")
* [James 1:11](/james/1-11 "James 1:11 - The Rich Man Fades Like a Flower")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 129:6 offers a profound source of comfort and a call to steadfast faith for believers navigating a world where injustice and opposition often seem to prevail. It reminds us that appearances can be deceiving; the temporary flourishing of those who oppose God or His people is akin to a shallow, rootless sprout, destined for swift decay. This perspective encourages us to not be intimidated or discouraged by the apparent power or success of the wicked, but to place our trust firmly in the Lord's ultimate justice and His perfect timing. It calls us to cultivate deep spiritual roots in Christ, ensuring our own endurance and fruitfulness, rather than seeking superficial gains that will inevitably wither. The verse fosters perseverance, knowing that God is actively at work, ensuring that His purposes will stand, and the transient nature of evil will be fully revealed.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the metaphor of "grass upon the housetops" challenge our perception of temporary success or power in the world today?**
* **In what ways can we ensure our own faith and spiritual lives are deeply rooted, so we do not "wither afore [we] grow up" in our walk with God?**
* **How does this verse encourage us to trust in God's justice and timing, even when the wicked seem to prosper for an extended period?**

### FAQ
**Why specifically "grass on the housetops" and not just any grass?**

Answer: The specificity of "grass on the housetops" is crucial to the metaphor's power. While grass in general can symbolize brevity of life (e.g., [Isaiah 40:6](/isaiah/40-6 "Isaiah 40:6 - All Flesh is Grass")), grass on a housetop specifically denotes growth in an utterly unsuitable and unsustainable environment. It highlights the lack of deep roots, consistent moisture, and fertile soil necessary for true, lasting growth. This distinction emphasizes that the wicked's prosperity is not merely brief, but fundamentally shallow, accidental, and completely without a foundation, destined to fail prematurely and inevitably. It's a picture of something that superficially appears to grow but has no lasting vitality or substance, unlike grass rooted in good ground which can flourish and bear fruit.

**Is this verse a curse or a prophecy?**

Answer: Psalms 129:6 functions as both an imprecation and a prophetic declaration. As an imprecation, it expresses the psalmist's fervent desire and prayer for divine judgment upon those who hate Zion ([Psalms 129:5](/psalms/129-5 "Psalm 129:5 - The Fate of Zion's Haters")). However, it is not merely a human wish but a declaration rooted in the understanding of God's righteous character and His covenant faithfulness. Therefore, it also serves as a prophecy, proclaiming with certainty what *will* happen to the wicked according to God's just and sovereign will. It reflects the biblical principle that "the way of the ungodly shall perish" ([Psalms 1:6](/psalms/1-6 "Psalm 1:6 - The Way of the Ungodly")), affirming the ultimate triumph of divine justice over all opposition.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 129:6 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus, who perfectly embodies God's justice and brings about the definitive defeat of all that opposes God. While the psalm speaks of the transient nature of those who hate Zion, Christ's ministry and ultimate sacrifice reveal the perishable nature of sin, death, and all spiritual wickedness. Jesus Himself taught extensively about the futility of building on a shallow foundation, contrasting the wise builder who builds on the rock with the foolish builder whose house falls when storms come ([Matthew 7:24-27](/matthew/7-24 "Matthew 7:24-27 - The Wise and Foolish Builders")). This echoes the "grass on the housetops" that lacks deep roots. Through His death and resurrection, Christ disarmed principalities and powers, triumphing over them ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities")), demonstrating that the apparent reign of evil is indeed shallow and ultimately doomed to wither. For those who are "in Christ," they are rooted and built up in Him ([Colossians 2:7](/colossians/2-7 "Colossians 2:7 - Rooted and Built Up in Christ")), becoming like trees planted by rivers of water, whose leaf does not wither ([Psalms 1:3](/psalms/1-3 "Psalm 1:3 - The Blessed Man")), contrasting sharply with the fleeting existence of the wicked. The ultimate vindication of God's people is secured not by their own strength, but by the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world and will one day establish His eternal kingdom where all evil is finally and utterly abolished ([Revelation 20:10](/revelation/20-10 "Revelation 20:10 - The Devil Cast into the Lake of Fire")).

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

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.