Psalms 129:7
Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand; nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom.
Original Language Analysis
שֶׁלֹּ֤א
H3808
שֶׁלֹּ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 6
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
מִלֵּ֖א
filleth
H4390
מִלֵּ֖א
filleth
Strong's:
H4390
Word #:
2 of 6
to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
כַפּ֥וֹ
not his hand
H3709
כַפּ֥וֹ
not his hand
Strong's:
H3709
Word #:
3 of 6
the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-
קוֹצֵ֗ר
Wherewith the mower
H7114
קוֹצֵ֗ר
Wherewith the mower
Strong's:
H7114
Word #:
4 of 6
to dock off, i.e., curtail (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative); especially to harvest (grass or grain)
Historical Context
Harvest imagery was central to Israelite life and theology - representing productivity, blessing, and reward. The contrast between full harvest (blessing) and empty hands (cursing) appears throughout Scripture (Deuteronomy 28). Enemies' inability to produce harvest despite activity symbolizes God's frustration of their plans.
Questions for Reflection
- How do empty hands and empty bosom illustrate the futility of opposing God?
- What does it mean that enemies' activity produces no harvest - how is this divine judgment?
- How does this verse encourage believers whose faithful work seems unproductive while evil appears successful?
- In what ways do various forms of evil ultimately prove fruitless despite temporary appearance of success?
- How does Jesus' teaching about fruit-bearing (John 15:1-8) relate to this psalm's imagery?
Analysis & Commentary
The agricultural futility continues: 'Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand; nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom.' This verse extends the housetop grass metaphor - such grass is useless for harvest. The 'mower' (one who cuts grain) cannot fill his hand because there's insufficient growth. Similarly, 'he that bindeth sheaves' (gathers harvested grain into bundles) has nothing to gather in his bosom (fold of garment used to carry items). The double imagery emphasizes complete uselessness - enemies produce nothing of lasting value. They may sprout, but they yield no harvest. This pictures the futility of opposing God's purposes - all effort and appearance of success amounts to nothing. Work that opposes God is ultimately wasted, producing no fruit.