1. They Have Not Prevailed
Psalm 129

2. Afflicted from my youth (1-4)
Vs. 1-2, repeated in vs. 2 – could be a responsive statement
Many a time afflicted from youth – Israel’s history included many times of affliction. Beginning in Egypt
Vs. 3, Plowers plowed my back (captivity) cf. Micah 3:12 – possibly a reference to beatings, Exodus 1:11, 5:13-14, Isaiah 10:24

3. Afflicted from my youth (1-4)
Vs. 2-4, delivered.
The enemies have not prevailed – God is greater, Romans 8:31, 1 John 4:4 But also, we find endurance – Corinthians 4:8-9
He is righteous – Revelation 16:7, Psalm 19:9
He has cut in pieces the cords of the wicked – 2 Cor. 1:9-10, 2 Peter 2:9

4. Afflicted from my youth (1-4)
Lessons
The kingdom of God will stand – Just as Jerusalem had endured (to the time of the psalm), so the church has endured – assaults within and without – in its youth and throughout the ages Matthew 16:18, Hebrews 12:28, cf. 1 Peter 1:25

5. Afflicted from my youth (1-4)
Lessons
We have enemies. While the future of the godly on earth seems troublesome, yet the Lord is righteous and He is still in control!

6. Afflicted from my youth (1-4)
Lessons
The bondage of sin Jesus endured chastening for our sins, to release us - Matthew 27:26, 1 Peter 2:24 (Isa. 53:5), Hebrews 9:28
We are freed from bondage Hebrews 2: through death, He destroyed the power of the devil to release us Galatians 4:3-7 – bondage under the elements of the world

7. Let those who hate Zion… (5-8)
An imprecatory psalm – to call a curse or judgment upon one’s enemies.
Today, we must consider: 1) We love our enemies - Matthew 5: , Romans 12:19-21, etc. 2) We do not rejoice in iniquity (1 Cor. 13:6 3) To request deliverance is reasonable Matt. 6:13, 2 Tim. 4:18, 2Thess. 3:3 4) Such requests must be with humility and love 5) Examine your motives 6) Leave it in God’s hands

8. Let those who hate Zion… (5-8)
Let those who hate Zion be put to shame
Zion, the place where God meets with His people.
Zion in the NT Matt. 21:5, John 12:15 (Zech. 9:9) Jesus entering Jerusalem on a colt
Romans 9:33, 1 Peter 2:6 (Isaiah 28:16) rejecting Him is a stumbling block
Romans 11:26 (Isaiah 59:20-21) the deliverer will come out of Zion
Hebrews 12:22 – Mount Zion
Revelation 14:1, the Lord as a Lamb, standing on Mt. Zion

9. Let those who hate Zion… (5-8)
Let those who hate Zion be put to shame
Do we desire that ungodly ways be frustrated? Do we desire those of the world to be saved? 2 Corinthians 5:10-11, cf. Romans 10:1
However…

10. Let those who hate Zion… (5-8)
However, we cannot retaliate against ungodliness. BUT we can:
Be a godly example – 1 Peter 2:11-12, 3:15-16
Pray that God’s will prevail & His church prosper – 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2, 1 Timothy 2:1-2

11. Let those who hate Zion… (5-8)
We cannot retaliate against ungodliness. BUT we can:
Seek to change our environment for better – Matthew 5:13, 16
Don’t contribute to ungodliness – Ephesians 5:11, Romans 1:31, Isaiah 5:20, cf. 1 Corinthians 5:6

12. Let those who hate Zion… (5-8)
Let them be as grass on a housetop
Dirt sometimes put on the roof of a house to keep it cool. After rain, a little grass would grow, but it had not root and no use.
The desire is that the ungodly wither away. That their scheming fails

13. Let those who hate Zion… (5-8)
Neither let those who pass by them say, “The blessing of the LORD be upon you…”
Do not give friends of the enemies the power to bless them
Thought: How often do the ungodly think they are godly?
Do we contribute to this by blessing the wicked – cf. 2 John 9-11

14. We are part of a kingdom that cannot be shaken
Let us resolve to put our deliverance in His hands!