Psalms 129:7

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

unable to fill the hands of the reaper, or the arms of the binder of sheaves.

American Standard Version (1901)

Wherewith the reaper filleth not his hand, Nor he that bindeth sheaves, his bosom:

Bible in Basic English

He who gets in the grain has no use for it; and they do not make bands of it for the grain-stems.

Free Bible Version

There's not enough even for a reaper to hold, not enough even for the binder to bind.

Geneva Bible 1599

Whereof the mower filleth not his hand, neither the glainer his lap:

King James (Authorized) Version

Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand; nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom.

One Unity Resource Bible

with which the reaper does not fill his hand, nor he who binds sheaves, his bosom.

Translation for Translators

as a result no one cuts it and puts it in bundles and carries it away.

Unlocked Literal Bible

that cannot fill the reaper's hand or the chest of the one who binds bundles of grain together.

Noah Webster Bible

With which the mower filleth not his hand; nor he that bindeth sheaves, his bosom.

World English Bible

with which the reaper doesn’t fill his hand, nor he who binds sheaves, his bosom.

Young's Literal Translation

That hath not filled the hand of a reaper, And the bosom of a binder of sheaves.

Context

The Cords of the Wicked

⁶May they be like grass on the rooftops, which withers before it can grow, ⁷unable to fill the hands of the reaper, or the arms of the binder of sheaves. ⁸May none who pass by say to them, “The blessing of the LORD be on you; we bless you in the name of the LORD.”

Summary

This verse expresses a prayer for God's judgment upon the enemies of God's people, asking that they be unsuccessful in their evil plans. It reflects the psalmist's trust in God's justice and protection over His faithful followers. The imagery of the enemies' failure to reap the harvest symbolizes their inability to bring harm or destruction to those who belong to God. Ultimately, the verse conveys the assurance that God will thwart the schemes of the wicked and preserve His people from harm.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand,.... Such grass never rises high enough to be mowed, nor is of that account to have such pains taken with it; nor the quantity so large as to fill a mower's hand, and carry it away in his arms; nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom; when corn is mowed or reaped, the binders come and gather it up in their arms, and bind it in sheaves, and then bring it into the barn; but nothing of this kind is done with grass on the housetops. This represents the insignificancy and worthlessness of wicked men; who, when the harvest comes, the end of the world, will not be gathered in by the reapers, the angels, into Christ's garner into heaven as the wheat, the righteous will; but like the tares and chaff will be cast into unquenchable fire, Mat 3:12.