Psalm 129 3

Psalm 129:3 kjv

The plowers plowed upon my back: they made long their furrows.

Psalm 129:3 nkjv

The plowers plowed on my back; They made their furrows long."

Psalm 129:3 niv

Plowmen have plowed my back and made their furrows long.

Psalm 129:3 esv

The plowers plowed upon my back; they made long their furrows."

Psalm 129:3 nlt

My back is covered with cuts,
as if a farmer had plowed long furrows.

Psalm 129 verses

Psalm 129 3 Meaning

(h2)This verse vividly portrays intense and prolonged suffering, employing the powerful agricultural metaphor of plowing. It describes brutal oppression inflicted upon the psalmist, or more broadly, the nation of Israel, as if their very body (back) were being torn open like soil by a plow. The "long furrows" emphasize the continuous, deep, and systematic nature of this suffering, indicating lasting scars from the actions of merciless adversaries.

Psalm 129 3 Context

(h2)Psalm 129 is one of the Songs of Ascent (Psalms 120-134), traditionally sung by pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem for the major festivals. These psalms often express themes of deliverance, reliance on God, and longing for divine blessing amidst struggle. Specifically, Psalm 129 describes the continuous and severe persecution faced by Israel "from my youth," metaphorically recounting the nation's historical trials from the time of the Exodus onwards. This verse, therefore, represents the profound, enduring suffering inflicted upon God's chosen people throughout their history by various oppressive nations. It conveys the immense pain, degradation, and lasting effects of being continually under attack and subjugation, while maintaining faith in divine deliverance. The historical context spans from the Egyptian bondage to Assyrian, Babylonian, Persian, and Hellenistic periods, all of which saw Israel subjected to external powers that sought to break their spirit and even their existence.

Psalm 129 3 Word analysis

(h2)

• The plowers: (Hebrew: חֹרְשִׁים, ḥoršîm). This is a participle, referring to those who are "doing the plowing." It indicates agents, the oppressors or enemies. The root (חָרַשׁ, ḥarash) means to plow, but also to engrave or even to devise (evil). Here, it metaphorically denotes those who inflict deep and intentional injury, aiming to wound severely, like tearing into the earth.
• Plowed: (Hebrew: חָרְשׁוּ, ḥaršū). This verb emphasizes the forceful, violent action of tearing into something. It's not a light affliction but a deep, rending act. This direct action signifies the literal or metaphorical tearing apart of the victim.
• Upon my back: (Hebrew: עַל־גַּבִּי, ʿal-gabbî). The "back" is a vulnerable place, a common site for receiving blows or for bearing heavy burdens. It signifies complete exposure to the assailant's will and severe physical or psychological violation. This imagery evokes torture like flaying or brutal lashing, where the back is scourged to create deep furrows.
• They made long: (Hebrew: הֶאֱרִיכוּ, heʾĕrîkū). From the root אָרַךְ (ʾarak), meaning "to be long" or "prolong." This is a Hiphil verb, indicating causation—they caused their furrows to be long. This highlights the deliberate and extended nature of the suffering. It wasn't a quick blow, but a sustained, protracted period of affliction.
• Their furrows: (Hebrew: מַעֲנוֹתָם, maʿănōtām). A "furrow" is the deep groove made by a plow in the soil. On a human back, it suggests deep, gruesome lacerations and scars, visible and lasting evidence of brutal abuse. The possessive "their" emphasizes that these destructive marks are the direct result and 'handiwork' of the oppressors.
• Plowers plowed upon my back: This phrase paints a gruesome and horrific picture of someone being treated like the ground, violently torn open. It communicates total subjugation and a profound violation of dignity, leaving one exposed and deeply wounded. It represents a state of being utterly overwhelmed by merciless foes.
• They made long their furrows: This emphasizes the extent and duration of the suffering. It indicates that the attacks were not brief or superficial but prolonged and profound, leaving indelible marks. The "long furrows" suggest a systematic, extensive, and deliberate torment that leaves permanent damage or scars, both physically and spiritually.

Psalm 129 3 Bonus section

(h2)The use of agricultural imagery, particularly "plowing" and "furrows," carries an ironic and polemical undertone. Plowing is typically associated with productive labor, preparing the ground for sustenance and life. However, here it is twisted into an act of profound destruction and death, desecrating the human body. This reflects the utter wickedness and counter-productive nature of the oppressors' actions; instead of building, they destroy, inflicting pain where there should be peace. This contrasts sharply with God's purpose for His people—fruitfulness and blessing—and subtly reinforces the notion that the oppressors' actions are against the natural order and divine will. The suffering described also aligns with the covenant curses found in Deuteronomy, where disloyalty to God leads to vulnerability to foreign domination, experienced as a "plowing" by enemies. However, in the context of Psalms, this intense affliction becomes a cry for divine intervention and a testimony to God's enduring faithfulness, as He eventually cuts the "cords" of the wicked.

Psalm 129 3 Commentary

(h2)Psalm 129:3 articulates the historical and enduring suffering of God's people using a powerfully graphic agricultural metaphor. The image of "plowers plowed upon my back" evokes the most extreme forms of human degradation and torture, where a person is literally brutalized as if they were soil being prepared for cultivation. This imagery, deeply rooted in the agrarian society of ancient Israel, speaks of systematic and cruel oppression, such as flogging, which tears skin and muscle, creating lasting marks. The phrase "they made long their furrows" accentuates the protracted nature of this torment, signifying not merely fleeting pain but continuous, extensive, and intentional cruelty that leaves deep, indelible scars. This verse stands as a testament to the harsh realities faced by the righteous in a hostile world, whether through physical persecution, prolonged injustice, or the emotional toll of constant affliction. Despite such severe and enduring suffering, the broader Psalm conveys resilience and faith that God, who is righteous, will ultimately cut short the oppressors' work and bring deliverance. This passage can serve as a powerful reminder of Christ's ultimate suffering for humanity's sake (Isa 50:6, 53:5) and a call for believers to find strength and hope in God amidst their own trials, knowing that even deep wounds will not overcome the faithful in the end.