Wednesday, 29 March 2017

Psalm 129 - God has cut the chords

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Psalm 129:3-4 "'The plowers plowed on my back; they made their furrows long.' The Lord is righteous; He has cut in pieces the cords of the wicked." NKJV

The Hebrew Al-Gabi is translated "on my back". While not a bad translation, Gav is not only back, but is also a perimeter or border. For instance, Gabot are eyebrows (the outer rim of the eyes).

Then we find the double use of the word Charash (plowers plow). We know what this means, it shows emphasis, ie. they really plowed.

This is followed by the word He'erichu. The shoresh (root) aleph-resh-kaf means long (as in a long time). This is the root translated as long suffering in Exodus 34:6.

The last word of verse 3 is not translated. Here are 4 typical meanings: (1) for the sake of, (2) on account of, (3) to the intent or (4) in order that. Typically, when I see this word, I think of "as to why."

Now in verse 4 we have a much easier to understand verse. The Lord is righteous. God has cut off cords or ropes of the wicked. What does this mean? The enemy wants to tie us down, but the cords that tie us to the enemy have been cut by God.