Psalm 129: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Psalm 129 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

The psalmist recounts the affliction experienced by Israel, stating that 'many times they have afflicted me from my youth up' (vv. 1-2). Despite this suffering, the psalmist affirms that these enemies 'have not prevailed against me.

Key verse

“Yahweh is righteous. He has cut apart the cords of the wicked.”
Psalms 129:4 (WEB)

Outline

Psalm 129:1–2 Affliction Experienced by Israel
Psalm 129:3–4 Imagery of Suffering and Justice
Psalm 129:5–7 A Call for Reversal
Psalm 129:8 Final Imprecation

Discussion questions

In v1, what affliction is Israel describing when they say 'many times they have afflicted me'?
In v3, what does the imagery of 'plowers plowed on my back' convey about Israel's suffering?
Yahweh's action in v4: what does it mean for Him to 'cut apart the cords of the wicked'?
In v5, why does the psalmist desire disappointment for those who 'hate Zion'?
When have you felt like 'the grass on the housetops' (v6), facing challenges that never grew strong?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Psalm 129: Ruth 2, Psalm 124, Jeremiah 1.

Before next time: read Psalm 130.