Psalms 129:6
Let them be as the grass upon the housetops, which withereth afore it groweth up:
Original Language Analysis
יִ֭הְיוּ
H1961
יִ֭הְיוּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 6
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כַּחֲצִ֣יר
Let them be as the grass
H2682
כַּחֲצִ֣יר
Let them be as the grass
Strong's:
H2682
Word #:
2 of 6
grass; also a leek (collectively)
שֶׁקַּדְמַ֖ת
afore
H6927
שֶׁקַּדְמַ֖ת
afore
Strong's:
H6927
Word #:
4 of 6
priority (in time); also used adverbially (before)
Historical Context
The housetop grass imagery was common in ancient Palestine where flat roofs could accumulate soil and sprout temporary vegetation. The metaphor appears elsewhere (2 Kings 19:26; Isaiah 37:27) to describe enemies' futility. The image would be immediately understood by agricultural society familiar with the difference between rooted and rootless plants.
Questions for Reflection
- How does housetop grass effectively illustrate the temporary nature of wicked opposition?
- What does it mean to wither 'afore it groweth up' - what is lost when something dies prematurely?
- How does this image comfort believers facing apparently successful opposition?
- In what ways do evil systems and opponents appear successful but lack sustaining roots?
- How does this metaphor relate to Jesus' parable about seed, soil, and withering (Matthew 13:5-6, 20-21)?
Analysis & Commentary
The judgment continues with agricultural metaphor: 'Let them be as the grass upon the housetops, which withereth afore it groweth up.' The comparison to 'grass upon housetops' describes something that appears to thrive briefly but has no sustaining root. Ancient flat roofs could sprout grass from windblown seeds, but shallow soil meant quick withering. The phrase 'withereth afore it groweth up' emphasizes premature death - before reaching maturity or producing fruit. This pictures enemies' apparent success as temporary and superficial. They may appear strong initially, but lacking deep roots, they quickly perish. The imagery promises that opposition to Zion, though sometimes appearing successful, will ultimately fail and disappear without accomplishing its purpose.