Psalms 128 (DRB)

Chapter Text

128:1 A gradual canticle. Often have they fought against me from my youth, let Israel now say.

128:2 Often have they fought against me from my youth: but they could not prevail over me.

128:3 The wicked have wrought upon my back: they have lengthened their iniquity.

128:4 The Lord who is just will cut the necks of sinners:

128:5 Let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Sion.

128:6 Let them be as grass upon the tops of houses: which withereth before it be plucked up:

128:7 Who with the mower filleth not his hand: nor he that gathereth sheaves his bosom.

128:8 And they that passed by have not said: The blessing of the Lord be upon you: we have blessed you in the name of the Lord.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "gradual", "canticle", "often", "fought", "against", "youth", and "israel". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "gradual" and "canticle", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The local DRB text gives this verse as the immediate unit, so "gradual" and "canticle" carries the first interpretive weight. In Psalms context, the local focus is worship, trust, the LORD's kingship, and covenant mercy.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "gradual" and "canticle" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.