Psalm 129 4

Psalm 129:4 kjv

The LORD is righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked.

Psalm 129:4 nkjv

The LORD is righteous; He has cut in pieces the cords of the wicked.

Psalm 129:4 niv

But the LORD is righteous; he has cut me free from the cords of the wicked."

Psalm 129:4 esv

The LORD is righteous; he has cut the cords of the wicked.

Psalm 129:4 nlt

But the LORD is good;
he has cut me free from the ropes of the ungodly.

Psalm 129 verses

Psalm 129 4 Meaning

Psalm 129:4 declares the inherent and active righteousness of the Lord. It states that God, in His just character, decisively intervenes to break the oppressive power, symbolic "cords," used by the wicked against His people. This verse is a profound affirmation of divine justice and liberation.

Psalm 129 4 Context

Psalm 129 is part of the Songs of Ascents (Psalms 120-134), traditionally sung by Jewish pilgrims journeying to Jerusalem for festivals. This psalm is a communal lament and an expression of hope, recounting the enduring suffering of Israel, metaphorically depicted as having been "plowed" by oppressors, leaving "long furrows" upon their backs (v. 3). Amidst this long history of affliction and persecution "from my youth" (v. 1-2), verse 4 provides a profound declarative statement of faith. It shifts the psalmist's focus from the depth of past and present suffering to the immutable character and redemptive action of God, asserting His inherent justice as the ultimate solution to the people's persistent persecution. This affirmation would have resonated deeply with a people who frequently experienced foreign domination, offering assurance of divine vindication.

Psalm 129 4 Word analysis

• "The Lord" (YHWH - יהוה): This is the Tetragrammaton, the sacred, personal covenant name of God. It signifies His unchanging, eternal, and relational being. The use of YHWH emphasizes that it is the faithful, sovereign God who entered into covenant with Israel, the one who acts powerfully and consistently in history to uphold justice.

• "is righteous" (tsaddiq - צַדִּיק): Meaning just, upright, vindicating. This is a foundational attribute of God, representing His moral perfection and strict adherence to absolute truth and equity. God's righteousness is not a passive quality but an active force by which He governs the cosmos, judges evil, and advocates for the oppressed. It forms the very basis for His intervention against all forms of injustice.

• "He has cut in two" (qiṭṣēṣ - קִצֵּץ): A forceful and decisive verb. It implies a violent, swift, and complete severing or breaking apart, making something utterly useless. This is not a gradual weakening but an immediate and definitive dismantling, underscoring God’s irresistible power in completely overthrowing and neutralizing oppressive forces.

• "the cords" (ʿavōtōṯ - עֲבֹתוֹת): Refers to ropes, bands, or chains. In the agricultural imagery of Psalm 129:3, it might evoke the reins or ropes used by plowers, symbolizing the control and burden of oppression or bondage. More broadly, "cords" symbolize the means, instruments, power structures, or plots by which the wicked bind, enslave, exploit, or afflict others. They represent the oppressive forces or legalistic burdens imposed.

• "of the wicked" (rəšāʿîm - רְשָׁעִים): Denotes those who are morally corrupt, unjust, and inherently hostile to God and His ways. This term specifically points to the oppressors of God's people, individuals or entities whose actions are contrary to divine law and ethical standards, inflicting suffering upon the righteous. God's action is precisely directed at the power wielded by the unrighteous.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "The Lord is righteous": This opening phrase is a powerful theological declaration, affirming God's intrinsic moral character as the unshakable foundation for all His actions. It asserts that God, by His very nature, cannot tolerate injustice and will unfailingly act to set things right. This attribute is the ultimate guarantee of hope for the oppressed.
  • "He has cut in two the cords of the wicked": This clause describes the swift, complete, and irreversible act of divine deliverance stemming directly from God’s righteous character. The "cords" symbolize all forms of binding and oppressive power, while "cut in two" signifies a total dismantling and nullification of their authority. This speaks to God’s sovereign power to intervene decisively, releasing His people from their bonds and demonstrating His absolute authority over all earthly and spiritual powers of evil.

Psalm 129 4 Bonus section

Within the context of a lament psalm, this verse acts as a pivotal moment, shifting the focus from profound human suffering to absolute divine sovereignty. The declarative perfect tense "He has cut in two" (qiṭṣēṣ) can be interpreted as expressing prophetic certainty – meaning it's so sure to happen, it's as good as done – or it can reflect on God's past consistent acts of deliverance, reinforcing His dependable nature. This divine certainty is designed to infuse the oppressed believer with profound hope and perseverance, assuring them that despite ongoing tribulations, the righteous God is ultimately in control and will ensure their eventual liberation. This foundational trust in God's righteousness prevents despair and fuels endurance.

Psalm 129 4 Commentary

Psalm 129:4 delivers a potent message of assurance by presenting a striking contrast: the extensive historical suffering of God’s people stands in stark opposition to the definite and righteous intervention of the Almighty. The core theological truth here is God’s unwavering righteousness (tsaddiq), which is not an abstract concept but an active, driving attribute compelling Him to enact justice. The vivid imagery of "cords of the wicked" powerfully encapsulates the various means by which ungodly forces bind, enslave, and afflict the righteous—whether through physical bondage, unjust decrees, deceptive schemes, or any systemic oppression designed to suppress God’s followers. The Lord’s act of "cutting them in two" is a decisive and complete metaphor for immediate, irresistible liberation. It portrays a divine judgment that utterly disarms, severs, and dismantles the instruments of evil, freeing the bound. This verse, therefore, stands as a timeless affirmation of God’s faithfulness to His own character and His resolute commitment to defending and vindicating His people against every form of unrighteous bondage, ensuring that the oppressors' dominion is ultimately broken.Examples:

• God's historical intervention to liberate Israel from the literal and symbolic chains of Pharaoh in Egypt.
• His decisive overturning of Haman’s genocidal plot against the Jewish people in the book of Esther, dismantling their plans.
• The New Testament fulfillment through Jesus Christ, who through His crucifixion and resurrection, severed the bonds of sin, death, and the devil’s power for all who believe, setting them free.