Psalms 129:1

“Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth, etc.] That is, the enemies of Israel, afterwards called “ploughers”. This may be understood of literal Israel, the posterity of Jacob; whose youth was the beginning of their constitution as a nation and church, or the first times of it; when they were greatly distressed by their enemies, and from thenceforward; as in Egypt, where, and in places near it, they were afflicted four hundred years, according to a prophecy given to Abraham their ancestor, and where their lives were made bitter with hard bondage; and in the times of the Judges, by several neighbouring nations, which was the time of their youth, or their settlement in Canaan; and…”

“This Psalm, while expressive of David's pious feelings on assuming the royal office, teaches the humble, submissive temper of a true child of God. (Psa 131:1-3) eyes lofty--a sign of pride (Psa 18:27). exercise myself--literally, "walk in," or "meddle with."”

“Many a time - Margin, as in Hebrew, “much.” Probably, however, the idea is, as expressed in our translation, “many a time;” “often.” So it is in the Latin Vulgate and the Septuagint; and this accords better with the connection. Have they afflicted me from my youth - Have I been afflicted; have others dealt unjustly by me. The youth here is the beginning. of the history of that people: since we began to be a people; since the nation was founded. May Israel now say - May the nation now say. It is clear from this that the psalm was not written at an early period of their history. return to 'Top of Page'”

“From my youth - From the time that I was a people. Psalms 129:4”

“Ps 129 The psalmist briefly reviews Israel’s history of trouble (129:1-2) and redemption (129:3-4). He concludes with curses against the enemies and blessings on the godly (129:5-6). 129:1-2 Israel’s earliest youth as a nation was during its sojourn in Egypt.”

“Many: or, Much. have they: Exo 1:12-14, Exo 1:22, Exo 5:7-19; Jdg 2:15, Jdg 10:8-12; Sa1 13:19; Lam 1:3 from: Jer 2:2; Eze 23:3; Hos 2:15, Hos 11:1 may: Psa 124:1 Psalms 129:2”

“Israel is gratefully to confess that, however much and sorely it was oppressed, it still has not succumbed. רבּת, together with רבּה, has occurred already in Psa 65:10; Psa 62:3, and it becomes usual in the post-exilic language, Psa 120:6; Psa 123:4, Ch2 30:18; Syriac rebath. The expression "from my youth" glances back to the time of the Egyptian bondage; for the time of the sojourn in Egypt was the time of Israel's youth ( Hos 2:17, Hos 11:1, Jer 2:2; Eze 23:3). The protasis Psa 129:1 is repeated in an interlinked, chain-like conjunction in order to complete the thought; for Psa 129:2 is the turning-point, where גּם, having reference to the whole negative clause, signifies "also" in the…”