Bible Commentaries
Psalms 129

Verses 1-8

Psalms 129:0

Psalms 129:1 (A Song of degrees.) Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth, may Israel now say:

Psalms 129:1 Word Study on “degrees” - Strong says the Hebrew word “ma’alah” ( מַעֲלָה ) (H4609) literally means, “elevations,” and in book of Psalms it means, “a climatic progression.” Strong says this word is derived from the Hebrew verb “‘alah” ( עָלָה ) (H5927), which means “to ascend.” This noun occurs 45 times in the Old Testament Scriptures and is often translated “steps,” as in 1 Kings 10:19. In 2 Kings 20:9-11 “ma’alah” ( מַעֲלָה ) is translated “degrees,” referring to the ten steps the shadow regressed on the king’s sundial.

Psalms 129:6 Let them be as the grass upon the housetops, which withereth afore it groweth up:

Psalms 129:6 “Let them be as the grass upon the housetops” - Comments - It is a common site in underdeveloped countries for grass and even shrubbery and small trees to grow in the cracks of buildings and on the flat roofs that collect dirt and debris. So it was in the days of the Old Testament.