Annotations upon the Holy Bible. Vol. I wherein the sacred text is inserted, and various readings annex'd, together with parallel scriptures, the more difficult terms in each verse are explained, seeming contradictions reconciled, questions and doubts resolved, and the whole text opened / by the late reverend and learned divine Mr. Matthew Poole.

PSAL. CXXIX.

A song of degrees.

This Psalm contains a joyful and thankful remembrance of the Churches former and manifold calamities from barbarous enemies, and of Gods wonderful mercy in delivering them out of their hands.

1 ‖ 1.1 MAny a time have they a 1.2 afflicted me from my youth b 1.3, may * 1.4 Israel now say.

2 Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed against me.

3 The plowers plowed upon my back c 1.5: they made long their furrows d 1.6.

4 The LORD is righteous e 1.7: he hath cut a∣sunder the * 1.8 cords f 1.9 of the wicked.

5 Let them all be confounded and turned back g 1.10 that hate Zion.

6 Let them be as the grass upon the house∣tops h 1.11, which withereth afore it groweth up i 1.12.

7 Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand; nor he that bindeth sheaves, his bosom.

8 Neither do they which go by say, The bles∣sing of the LORD be upon you k 1.13: we bless you in the name of the LORD.

Notes

• ‖ 1.1

  Or, much.
• a 1.2

  Mine enemies or oppressors; which is easily understood both from the nature of the thing, and from v. 3. where they are expressed under the name of plowers.
• b 1.3

  From the time that I was a people, when I was in Egypt and came out of it, which is called the time of Israels youth, Ier. 2. 2. Ezek. 23. 3.
• * 1.4

  Psal. 124. 1.
• c 1.5

  They have not onely thrown me down and trod me un∣der foot, but have cruelly tormented me, wounded and mangled me, and had no more pity upon me than the plow∣man hath upon the earth which he cuts up at his pleasure. He saith, upon my back, either because they did literally scourge the Captives upon their backs with such cords as are mentioned v. 4. although we do not read that the Israelitish Captives were thus used by any of their enemies; or by way of allusion to that usage, which made a sort of furrows in their backs upon which they used to lay on their strokes.
• d 1.6

  They oft repeated their injuries and prolonged my tor∣ments.
• e 1.7

  Faithful or merciful, as that word is frequently used.
• * 1.8

  Psal. 140. 5.
• f 1.9

  Wherewith the plow was drawn; by which means they were stopped in their course. So he persists in the same Me∣taphor of a plough. By these cords he understands all their plots and endeavours.
• g 1.10

  Forced to retreat with shame and disappointment.
• h 1.11

  Which there were flat, and therefore more capable of grass, or green corn growing between the stones, than ours are.
• i 1.12

  Which having no deep root, never comes to matu∣rity. And so all their designs shall be abortive and never come to perfection.
• k 1.13

  Which was an usual salutation given by passengers to reapers, as Ruth 2. 4. So the meaning is, It never continues till the harvest comes.