This psalm of ascent (Psalm 129) begins with the leader of the Levitical choral calling Israel to recite,
“They have greatly oppressed me from my youth!”
The pilgrims progressing into and through the temple courts would respond with the same chorus line, but add the victorious line of lyrics:
“yet they did not gain victory over me!"
Israel’s captors and oppressors are said to have cut the backs of Israelites like ploughmen cut a field with long furrows. But, the righteous god has cut them free.
God’s powerful demonstrations of historically delivering, restoring and establishing Israel is an undeniable testimony to his greatness and his plan. Or, these historical occurrences that continue into our time are, at least, troublesome events that the skeptic must repeatedly deny through 3,500 years of history. |
