Psalm 129 (128):8Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

When he declares, “Let them be like grass on the rooftops,” he chooses this comparison deliberately, likening them not just to grass, but specifically to grass growing on rooftops. Though grass in fertile fields withers quickly, he intensifies the idea of their insignificance by comparing them to grass on rooftops, illustrating their frailty in both aspect—weakness inherent in the grass and its unsuitable setting. Such are the intentions of the adversaries; they lack roots or a solid foundation, fleeting in their appearance and destined to fail. This reflects the fate of the wicked and the temporary allure of worldly possessions! They manifest briefly and vanish without substance or strength. For this reason, we should not become attached to them; rather, in recognizing their fleeting nature, we should strive for eternal, unshakeable treasures, which we may all partake in through the grace and compassion of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom, along with the Father and the Holy Spirit, be glory forever. Amen.

Thus, let His voice resound; we place our trust in God's mercy, for He will bring comfort through His chosen ones. However, those who persist in wrongdoing, despite hearing the Word of God, continue to disrupt the Church through their offenses. This psalm addresses such individuals, starting with the acknowledgment, “They have fought against me many times since my youth” (Psalm 127:1). The Church speaks of those it patiently endures, questioning, "Is it now?" The Church has existed since ancient times; ever since saints were recognized, it has been present upon the earth. For a time, Abel alone represented the Church, while his wayward brother Cain opposed it (Genesis 4:8). There was a time when Enoch alone embodied the Church, and he was taken from the wicked (Genesis 5:24). Likewise, when Noah stood alone in the Church, he witnessed the demise of those lost in the flood while the ark ridden by him floated safely upon the waters (Genesis 6-8). At one point, the Church was represented solely by Abraham, who faced trials from the wicked. Similarly, Lot, his relative, dwelt in Sodom and suffered the evils of that land until God rescued him (Genesis 13-20). The Church also came to fruition among the people of Israel, enduring the trials imposed by Pharaoh and the Egyptians. Throughout, the Church embraced the saints, including Moses and others, who persevered amidst the wickedness of Israel. Ultimately, we reach our Lord Jesus Christ, who preached the Gospel as foretold in the Psalms. Therefore, let us not be astonished or disheartened when we face tribulations; let us listen to our Mother, the Church, offer words of reassurance: "Do not be surprised at this, my child: they have fought against me many times from my youth."

Now let Israel declare. It appears as though she is reflecting on herself, responding to those who lament the magnitude of trials and scandals, exacerbated by the presence of ungodly individuals within the Church. In response to their burdens, let the Church speak with strength, addressing the weaker members and providing reassurance: “Many times have they vexed me since my youth” (Psalm 128:2). The Church should assert this without fear. What is the purpose of the phrase “from my youth” following the declaration of continual opposition? Though the Church faces hostility in its advanced age, there is no cause for alarm. Has it not endured to this old age precisely because it has faced countless battles since its inception? Have those adversaries succeeded in eradicating it? Let Israel find solace in the lessons of history. Why was I targeted? Because they could not vanquish me.

"As for me, sinners have burdened me" (Psalm 127:3). Why did they wage war against me? Because they were unable to conquer me. They sought to rely on me, yet I did not consent to their wrongdoing. Every wicked individual persecutes those righteous because the righteous stand firm against their evil ways. Consider a man who commits wrongdoing; if his actions go unchallenged by the bishop, the bishop may be perceived as good; however, if he is rebuked, the bishop is deemed bad. If he makes off with stolen goods and keeps silent, that makes him good in their eyes. Yet if he dares to speak against such evil, even without returning good for good, he is labeled wholly wicked. It is the accuser who claims righteousness, while it is good to rob... Pay no heed to such voices; they come from malign hearts. Yet the Word of God remains pure and untainted. Level your accusations at God, if you dare.

You call a man greedy, while he decries God for creating gold. "Do not possess a greedy heart," you urge. Yet you fail to recognize that God is not to be blamed for the existence of gold. Your wicked desires remain rooted, and you defame the righteous works of God. The Creator, the Grand Architect of the universe, becomes your offense. You may even suggest that God ought not to have created the sun, since, through the light it offers, disputes arise, leading to litigation amongst men. Oh, if only we could curb our base desires! For everything is fundamentally good, having been created by a beneficent God. His creation sings His praises, awaiting the reflections of the discerning soul filled with godliness and wisdom.

"Do not charge interest on loans." You bemoan the Scriptures which state, "He that hath not lent his money at usury.” This was not my declaration; it did not issue from my mouth; heed God’s response. Let the ministers refrain from lending at interest. Perhaps the one speaking to you does lend, but if he does so wrongly, does that permit him to instruct you otherwise? If he does what he commands, and you choose not to follow, you shall face the flames while he enters into glory. But if he does not uphold those commands, and he acts wickedly alongside you, you both share in the same fate. The chaff will be consumed, yet the Word of the Lord endures forever.

"The righteous Lord will sever the cords of the unrighteous" (Psalm 128:4). Who among us does not bow their head, like the tax collector, pleading, "Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner?" (Luke 18:13). Therefore, if all are sinners, and no one is without sin, all should dread the sword poised above them, for the just Lord will bring down judgment upon the transgressors. My brethren, I do not claim that all are sinners; rather, God pinpoints those deserving of His wrath. It is not stated that "the righteous Lord will sever the hands of sinners" or their feet; but rather, aims at the proud, the high-minded, the ones who engage in evil yet fail to acknowledge it, justifying their actions when confronted. As Job described the wicked, they charge against God with proud necks and raised shields (Job 15:26). Similarly, here we perceive the symbol of the neck, demonstrating how one elevates themselves, denying humility and introspection. You ought to plead, as I do in another psalm, "Lord, have mercy upon me, for I have sinned against You." Since you are unwilling to acknowledge this truth and persist in justifying your actions against God’s Word, what follows in Scripture is upon you: “the righteous Lord will sever the cords of the unrighteous."

“Let all who harbor wicked intentions be put to shame and turned back, Zion” (Psalm 128:5). Those who despise Zion oppose the Church, for Zion symbolizes the Church. Those who enter the Church with hypocrisy disdain her, as do those who reject the Word of God. "Upon my back, they have built." What can the Church do but endure such burdens until the end?

Yet, what follows? The next proclamation is this: "Let them be as the grass on rooftops that withers before it is plucked" (Psalm 128:6). The grass of rooftops, sprouting on tiles, is plainly seen from above and lacks roots. It would thrive better in lower ground, blooming joyfully, but it climbs higher, which hastens its decay. It has not yet been uprooted, yet it withers: they await their divine judgment, devoid of any life-giving sap. Examine their deeds, and witness that they are indeed fading. The harvesters will come, but they will gather no sheaves from them. The harvesters will collect the wheat into the barn and bundle the tares to be cast into the fire. The grass on rooftops will be harvested in a similar manner, each blade plucked will end up in the flames, for it has already withered.

In conclusion, “The reaper fills not his hands; nor he that bindeth sheaves” (Psalm 128:7). And the harvesters are the angels, as the Lord declares (Matthew 13:39).

Let not those passing by utter, “The blessing of the Lord be upon you; we bless you in the name of the Lord” (Psalm 128:8). For we know that, dear brethren, it is customary for individuals to offer blessings to those laboring in fields, vineyards, or during harvest; it was especially common among the Jewish people to impart this greeting... Who are these passersby? They signified those who have journeyed to their eternal home, an illustration of this life; the Apostles and Prophets can be viewed as passersby. Whom did they bless? Those in whom they perceived the roots of mercy! But those elevated to the rooftops, proud in their shields, received condemnation rather than blessing. Therefore, those who study the Scriptures will discover that all wicked individuals delivered by the Church are affiliates of the Antichrist, followers of the devil, among the tares... And those who proclaim that no individual is sanctified but by God, and no one can manifest goodness outside the gift of God, bless in the Lord's name, not their own; as friends of the bridegroom, they resist adulterating the bride.

The passersby do not say, "The Lord's blessing be upon you; I bless you in the name of the Lord." With regard to the grass atop the houses, travelers do not provide the typical blessings and salutations given during their passage through fruitful fields when they see the harvesters at work. What is it they usually say? "May the blessing and mercy of the Lord be upon you, harvesters! We have blessed and greeted you in the name of the Lord, calling upon Him to bless you and increase your yield." Theodoret notes that witnesses of the abundant harvest often express admiration for the farmers' dedication and offer blessings to those who gather it, yet no one extends similar words to those collecting grass from the houses.

Those who pass by long for the Lord's blessing, not just for the reapers but for the crop itself, wishing for it to be plentiful and ready. Thus, the absence of blessing will encompass not only the wicked but also their deeds. Therefore, on the day of judgment, no one will offer them blessings or lament their fate; rather, they will be scorned and despised by all, leading to their ultimate disgrace. No one will proclaim to them, 'The blessing of the Lord is upon you,' or 'We bless you in the name of the Lord.' On the contrary, the righteous Judge and all the saints will declare, 'Go ye cursed into everlasting fire' (Matthew 25:41).

The term Delasha ετεκτενον - refers to the construction, a nod to the forced labor endured in Egypt. This severe and unjust oppression, ανομία, persisted for an extended period (εμάκριναγ), reflecting the hardships faced from the Philistines and others during the judges’ era. As referenced, “on my back the wicked ploughmen ploughed long furrows” signifies the scars left by the lashes. In light of this comforting reality, the oppressed express their faith and fervent hope that the Lord will bring shame upon the Samaritans and all of Israel’s adversaries, hastening to bring an ultimate conclusion to their torment (v.6-8). The imagery of grass on roofs indicates that in the East, roofs are sometimes covered with a thin layer of soil where grass can easily sprout; however, lacking deep roots, it quickly withers away, neglected and unharvested, for no one gathers it into sheaves as is customary at harvest (Ruth 2:4). Thus, the plea is for the enemies to swiftly be rendered powerless (εξηρανθη) and scorned (ουκ επληροσε την χειρα, etc.), stripped of all blessings, as expressed in v.8.

The Jews persist in their wickedness, declaring, “His blood is on us and on our children” (Matthew 27:25). Those who sin in arrogance, failing to humble themselves through repentance, will inevitably face torment. Zion symbolizes the Holy Church, and those who persecute her will depart in anguish, hearing the words: “Depart from Me, ye cursed.” The wicked are fruitless, their hands weakened, having refused to extend aid for Christ's sake. Consequently, they find themselves bereft of God’s grace in this life and will languish in the afterlife, excluded from eternal life and the comfort of Abraham’s bosom. Just as grass on rooftops wilts prematurely, so too does the prosperity of the unrighteous and the allure of worldly possessions (Chrysostom). In the life to come, the unjust will not receive praise or blessing for eternity.