Psalms 129:4

The LORD [is] righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked.

The LORD {H3068} is righteous {H6662}: he hath cut asunder {H7112} the cords {H5688} of the wicked {H7563}.

But ADONAI is righteous; he cuts me free from the yoke of the wicked.

The LORD is righteous; He has cut me from the cords of the wicked.

Jehovah is righteous: He hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked.

Commentary

Context of Psalms 129:4

Psalm 129 is part of the "Songs of Ascents" (Psalms 120-134), traditionally sung by pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem for festivals. This particular psalm reflects on Israel's long history of oppression and suffering at the hands of various enemies, beginning from their earliest days ("from my youth," verse 1-2). Despite persistent affliction, the psalmist expresses unwavering confidence in God's faithfulness and justice. Verse 4 serves as the pivotal turning point, shifting from a description of past suffering to a declaration of divine intervention and deliverance.

Key Themes and Messages

  • God's Righteousness: The verse opens with a foundational truth: "The LORD is righteous." This establishes God's character as just, fair, and morally perfect. It implies that His actions, including His judgment against the wicked and His deliverance of the oppressed, are always in accordance with His holy nature. This theme resonates throughout Scripture, affirming God's unfailing justice, as seen in Deuteronomy 32:4.
  • Divine Deliverance: The phrase "he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked" vividly portrays God's active intervention. The "cords" (Hebrew: 'abli) symbolize the bonds, yokes, or instruments of oppression used by the wicked to enslave or control God's people. God doesn't merely loosen them; He decisively "cuts them asunder," signifying a complete and irreversible breaking of their power. This speaks to God's mighty hand in freeing His people from bondage, a theme central to the Exodus narrative (e.g., Exodus 14:30).
  • Justice for the Oppressed: This verse offers comfort and hope to those who feel ensnared by evil or injustice. It assures them that God sees their plight and will ultimately bring justice. The wicked's schemes and instruments of oppression, no matter how strong, are ultimately powerless against the righteous Lord.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "cords" ('abli, עַבְלֵי) can refer to ropes, traces for plowing, or even fetters. This imagery suggests the means by which oppressors would bind, control, or exploit their victims, much like oxen are yoked for plowing. The verb "cut asunder" (qitzetz, קִצֵּץ) is strong, implying a forceful and decisive severing, not just a loosening. It emphasizes the totality of God's deliverance and the complete destruction of the wicked's hold.

Practical Application

Psalms 129:4 offers a powerful message of hope and reassurance for believers facing adversity or oppression today. It reminds us that no matter how entrenched or powerful the forces of evil may seem, God's righteousness is supreme. We can find solace in knowing that the Lord is just and will ultimately break the bonds of injustice and wickedness. This verse encourages us to trust in God's sovereign power and to persevere, knowing that He is on the side of justice and will bring deliverance in His perfect timing. It calls us to have faith in God's ultimate victory over all forms of evil, echoing the promise of a future where He will wipe away every tear.

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Cross-References

  • Psalms 119:137 (6 votes)

    ¶ TZADDI. Righteous [art] thou, O LORD, and upright [are] thy judgments.

  • Lamentations 3:22 (5 votes)

    [It is of] the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

  • Ezra 9:15 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    Howbeit thou [art] just in all that is brought upon us; for thou hast done right, but we have done wickedly:

  • Daniel 9:7 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    ¶ Blessed [be] the LORD, who hath not given us [as] a prey to their teeth.