6 May they be like grass on the roof, which withers before it can grow;
6 Let them be as the grass upon the housetops, which withereth afore it groweth up:
6 Let them be like the grass on the housetops, which withers before it grows up,
6 Let them be like grass in shallow ground that withers before the harvest,
6 Let them be as the grass on the housetops, Which withers before it grows up,
6 May they be as useless as grass on a rooftop, turning yellow when only half grown,
7 a reaper cannot fill his hands with it, nor one who gathers fill his arms.
7 Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand; nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom.
7 with which the reaper does not fill his hand nor the binder of sheaves his arms,
7 Before the farmhands can gather it in, the harvesters get in the crop,
7 With which the reaper does not fill his hand, Nor he who binds sheaves, his arms.
7 ignored by the harvester, despised by the binder.
(Read Psalm 129:5-8)
While God's people shall flourish as the loaded palm-tree, or the green and fruitful olive, their enemies shall wither as the grass upon the house-tops, which in eastern countries are flat, and what grows there never ripens; so it is with the designs of God's enemies. No wise man will pray the Lord to bless these mowers or reapers. And when we remember how Jesus arose and reigns; how his people have been supported, like the burning but unconsumed bush, we shall not fear.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 129:6
Commentary on Psalm 129:5-8
(Read Psalm 129:5-8)
While God's people shall flourish as the loaded palm-tree, or the green and fruitful olive, their enemies shall wither as the grass upon the house-tops, which in eastern countries are flat, and what grows there never ripens; so it is with the designs of God's enemies. No wise man will pray the Lord to bless these mowers or reapers. And when we remember how Jesus arose and reigns; how his people have been supported, like the burning but unconsumed bush, we shall not fear.