Psalms 129:2 — Word Study
WLCרַ֭בַּת צְרָר֣וּנִי מִנְּעוּרָ֑י גַּ֝ם לֹא־ יָ֥כְלוּ לִֽי׃
BSA◂many a timerab [often, frequently] they have persecuted metsârar■ [afflicted, distressed] from my youthnâʻûwr [from the time I was young, since my early days] butgam they have notlôʼ [never] prevailedyâkôl■ [been able, overcome]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| רַ֭בַּת | much | Adj |
| צְרָר֣וּנִי | people have opposed me | Verb qal perfect third person common plural, suffix |
| מִנְּעוּרָ֑י | since youth my | Preposition, noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| גַּ֝ם | also | Adverb |
| לֹא־ | not | Particle |
| יָ֥כְלוּ | they have prevailed | Verb, Qal, perfect third person common plural |
| לִֽי׃ | to me | Preposition, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | many a time they have persecuted me from my youth, but they have not prevailed against me. |
| KJV | Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed against me. |
| ASV | Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth up: Yet they have not prevailed against me. |
| YLT | Often they distressed me from my youth, Yet they have not prevailed over me. |
| WEB | many times they have afflicted me from my youth up, yet they have not prevailed against me. |
| BBE | Great have been my troubles from the time when I was young, but my troubles have not overcome me. |
The translations agree on the meaning of רַבַּת — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence has a main clause with a contrasting statement, emphasizing the ongoing struggle and the ultimate failure of the oppressors.






7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Trapp, AdamClarke & more — read them ›
clause
verbיָכֹל
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 129:2
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Struggles of Israelgenerated
Psalm 129:2 reflects the historical and ongoing struggles faced by Israel, emphasizing the resilience of the people despite frequent persecution. The psalmist recalls these trials, indicating that they have been a part of their identity since youth. This verse serves as a reminder of the challenges faced, yet highlights the unwavering nature of God's support and the ultimate failure of their adversaries.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 34:19 | Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him from them all. |
| 2 | Psalm 118:13 | I was pushed so hard I was falling, but the LORD helped me. |
| 3 | Psalm 125:1 | Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion. It cannot be moved; it abides forever. |
| 4 | Job 5:19 | He will rescue you from six calamities; no harm will touch you in seven. |
| 5 | Matthew 16:18 | And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 8 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — רַבַּת, Ra.batgenerated
The word רַבַּת (rab) is an adjective meaning 'many' or 'much'. It conveys a sense of abundance and is often used to describe something in contrast to its opposite, מְעַט (me'at). In this verse, it emphasizes the numerous times the psalmist has faced persecution.
This word is frequently used in various contexts to indicate a large quantity or degree, and it can also function as a noun meaning 'chief' or 'captain'. Here, it underscores the persistent nature of the afflictions faced.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
In the Berean Standard Bible, the verse uses many a time to reflect the frequent nature of persecution.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb is יָ֥כְלוּ, they have prevailed, which governs the entire clause. The structure highlights the contrast between the repeated persecution and the failure of the oppressors.
The sentence is built around this main verb, with the adverbial phrases indicating the frequency of persecution and the object pronoun specifying who is affected.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint uses πλεονάκις to translate רַבַּת, indicating a similar emphasis on frequency. This choice aligns well with the Hebrew meaning, maintaining the focus on the repeated nature of the afflictions.
The Greek rendering captures the essence of the Hebrew text, reinforcing the theme of persistent struggle.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 129:2 speaks of how Israel has faced persecution many times since their youth, yet their enemies have not succeeded against them. This verse highlights the resilience of the people and God's protection.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It indicates that the struggles and afflictions faced by the psalmist have been ongoing since early life, highlighting a long history of oppression.
This verse encapsulates the collective memory of Israel's suffering and resilience, affirming that despite many trials, they have not been overcome.
This phrase emphasizes the ultimate failure of oppressors and serves as a declaration of faith in God's protection and support.
It resonates with themes found in other psalms and scriptures that discuss suffering and divine deliverance, such as Psalm 34:19 and Psalm 118:13.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I experienced challenges or persecution in my own life, and how have I seen God's support?
- How can I draw strength from the resilience shown in this psalm when facing difficulties?
- What does it mean for me to declare that my struggles will not prevail against me?
- How can I support others who are facing persecution or hardship, reflecting the message of this psalm?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early commentary on this psalm highlights its themes of struggle and resilience, as seen in Augustine's exposition.
"Now may Israel say." She now seems to be speaking of herself: for she seemed not to have commenced herself, but to have answered.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 129 →
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 129:2 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleMany a time have they afflicted me from my youth,.... This is repeated for the confirmation of it, to excite attention to it, and to express the vehement affection of the speaker; yet they have not
Read John Gill on Psalms 129 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryMany a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed against me. Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth; yet they have not prevailed against me.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 129 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 129:2 Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed against me.Ver. 2. Many a time, &c.] Anadiplosis ad exaggerationem, q.d. They have done it and done it again, but could never achieve their design, viz. to supplant and eradicate me; which might not be. Oppugnarunt (non expugnarunt, however the Vulgate so rendereth here). The Church is invincible. Athens took upon her of old to be so; and Venice alate boasteth the like; but time hath confuted the one, and may soon do the other; when the Church shall stand firm, because founded on a rock. More truly may it be said of it than it was once of Troy, Victa tamen vinces, eversaque Troia resurges: Obruet…
Read John Trapp on Psalms 129 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 2. Yet they have not prevailed] They endeavoured to annihilate us as a people; but God still preserves us as his own nation.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 129 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges2. yet they have not prevailed against me] Cp. 2 Corinthians 4:8-10.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 129 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleMany a time ... - This repetition is designed to fix the thoughts on the fact, and to impress it on the mind. The mind dwells on the fact as important in its bearing on the present occasion or emergency.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 129 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible2. Not prevailed—Because God was on their side. See Psalms 124:1, etc.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Psalms 129 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
many a time they have persecuted me from my youth, but they have not prevailed against me.
many times they have afflicted me from my youth up, yet they have not prevailed against me.
many a time they have persecuted me from my youth, but they have not prevailed against me.
“Since my youth they have often attacked me, but they have not defeated me.
Tyndale line
Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed against me.
Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth up: Yet they have not prevailed against me.
Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth up: yet they have not prevailed against me.
Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed against me.
They haue often times afflicted me from my youth: but they could not preuaile against me.
Strictly literal
Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth; yet they have not prevailed against me.
Often they distressed me from my youth, Yet they have not prevailed over me.
Often they distressed me from my youth, || Yet they have not prevailed over me.
Many a time have they assailed me from my youth: yet have they not prevailed against me.
“Often since my youth they have attacked me, yet they have not defeated me.
From the Latin
Lord, hear my voice. Let thy ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.
Simplified
Many enemies have attacked from the time I was young, but they never defeated me.
Great have been my troubles from the time when I was young, but my troubles have not overcome me.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree closely, with all words matched. The Dead Sea Scrolls show some restoration, but the core message remains consistent across these witnesses.
רַ֭בַּת צְרָר֣וּנִי מִנְּעוּרָ֑י גַּ֝ם לֹא־ יָ֥כְלוּ לִֽי׃
7 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
רבות [צררו׳ני] [מנעור׳י] [גם] לוא יכולו ל׳י
3 words on the leather — 1 partly restored, 3 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 129:2
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
רַב (rav) means much, many, or great, often used in contrast to מְעַט (me'at). It can describe abundance in quantity or rank and is also used as a noun for chief or captain. The word conveys a range of meanings from numerous to exceedingly, and it can function as both an adjective and a noun.
רַב 429 adj. much, many, great
(oft. opp. מְעַט)
much: of substances
esp. of collectives, numerous
pl. many
רַב as subst. coll. pers.
cstr. = abounding in
מִן comp. = more numerous than
רַב = abundant, enough
as adv. much, exceedingly
less oft. great
base
רַב 49 n.m. chief
base
H7227a רַב much, many, great . (oft. opp. מְעַט) . . much: of substances
. esp. of collectives, numerous
. pl. many
. רַב as subst. coll. pers.
. cstr. = abounding in
. + מִן comp. = more numerous than
. רַב = abundant, enough
. as adv. much, exceedingly
. less oft. great
H7227b רַב chief
7227 rab rab
by contracted from 7231; abundant (in quantity, size, age,
number, rank, quality):--(in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly),
captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man,
one), increase, long (enough, (time)), (do, have) many(-ifold,
things, a time), ((ship-))master, mighty, more, (too, very)
much, multiply(-tude), officer, often(-times), plenteous,
populous, prince, process (of time), suffice(-lent).
see HEBREW for 07231
רַב (rav) — many.
adj
1) much, many, great
1a) much
1b) many
1c) abounding in
1d) more numerous than
1e) abundant, enough
1f) great
1g) strong
1h) greater than
adv
1i) much, exceedingly
רַב (rav) — chief.
captain, chief
Aramaic equivalent: rav.re.van (רַבְרְבָן "noble" H7261)
רַב (rav) — (Sidon) the Great.
Combined with tsi.don (צִידוֹן "Sidon" H6721H)
§ captain, chief
Adj — AdjHAafsc
The Hebrew word צָרַר (tsarar) is built from a primitive root meaning to bind or confine. It covers a range of meanings including to besiege, cause distress, and show hostility. The word can also denote making a rival-wife. Notably, it appears in Leviticus 18:18.
צוּר vb. confine, bind, besiege
base
צָרַר vb. bind, tie up, be restricted, narrow, scant, cramped
trans.
Qal bind or tie up
Pu. tied up (mended by tying)
intrans.
Qal be scant, cramped, in straits
Hiph. make narrow for, press hard upon, cause distress to
base
[צָרַר] vb. denom. Hiph. suffer distress
base
צָרַר vb. shew hostility toward, vex
base
[צָרַר] vb. denom. make a rival-wife;—Qal Lv 18:18
ref
H6887a צוּר confine, bind, besiege H6887b צָרַר bind, tie up, be restricted, narrow, scant, cramped H6887c צָרַר vb. denom. Hiph. suffer distress H6887d צָרַר shew hostility toward, vex H6887e צָרַר vb. denom. make a rival-wife
6887 tsarar tsaw-rar'
a primitive root; to cramp, literally or figuratively,
transitive or intransitive (as follows):--adversary, (be in)
afflict(-ion), beseige, bind (up), (be in, bring) distress,
enemy, narrower, oppress, pangs, shut up, be in a strait
(trouble), vex.
צָרַר (tsa.rar) — to confine.
to confine, besiege
Another spelling of tsur (צוּר "to confine" H6696A)
צָרַר (tsa.rar) — to constrain.
1) to bind, be narrow, be in distress, make narrow, cause distress, besiege, be straitened, be bound
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to bind, tie up, shut up
1a2) to be scant, be cramped, be in straits
1b) (Pual) to be bound, be tied up
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to make narrow for, cause distress to, press hard upon
צָרַר (tsa.rar) — to distress.
to suffer distress
צָרַר (tsa.rar) — to vex.
to show hostility toward, vex
צָרַר (tsa.rar) — to rival.
to make a rival-wife
V-Qal-Perf-3cp | Suff — Verb qal perfect third person common plural · suffixHVqp3cp/Sp1bs
נְעוּרִים (na`uwr) refers to youth or early life, encompassing both the state of juvenility and young people collectively. It appears in the plural form and has a feminine counterpart, נְעוּרוֹת (na`ur), which carries the same meaning. The term is notably used in Jeremiah 32:30.
נְעוּרִים n.[m.]pl. youth, early life
base
[נְעוּרוֹת] n.[f.]pl. id. [n.ei.ae];—only Je 32:30 (fig. of nation).
ref
H5271a נְעוּרִים youth, early life H5271b נְעוּרוֹת id. [5271a]
5271 na`uwr naw-oor'
or naur {naw-oor'}; and (feminine) nturah {neh- oo-raw'};
properly, passive participle from 5288 as denominative; (only
in plural collectively or emphatic form) youth, the state
(juvenility) or the persons (young people):--childhood,
youth.
see HEBREW for 05288
נְעוּרִים (na.ur) — youth.
youth, early life
Also means: na.ur (נְעוּרוֹת "youth" H5271B)
נְעוּרוֹת (na.ur) — youth.
youth, early life
Another spelling of na.ur (נְעוּרִים "youth" H5271A)
Prep | N-cp | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHR/Ncmpc/Sp1bs
גַּם (gam) is an adverb meaning 'also' or 'moreover,' indicating addition or emphasis. It can express various nuances, such as 'even,' 'indeed,' or 'but.' The term is often used in a correlational manner, as in 'both...and.' It appears in contexts that require clarification or reinforcement of a statement.
גַּם 768 adv. denoting addition, also, moreover, yea
base
H1571 גַּם denoting addition, also, moreover, yea
1571 gam gam
by contraction from an unused root meaning to gather;
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea,
though; often repeated as correl. both...and:--again, alike,
also, (so much) as (soon), both (so)...and , but, either...or,
even, for all, (in) likewise (manner), moreover,
nay...neither, one, then(-refore), though, what, with, yea.
גַּם (gam) — also.
1) also, even, indeed, moreover, yea
1a) also, moreover (giving emphasis)
1b) neither, neither...nor (with negative)
1c) even (for stress)
1d) indeed, yea (introducing climax)
1e) also (of correspondence or retribution)
1f) but, yet, though (adversative)
1g) even, yea, yea though (with 'when' in hypothetical case)
2) (TWOT) again, alike
DirObjM — AdverbHD
ol'-so: In the Greek kai, when it is equivalent to "also" or "even," is always placed before the word or phrase which it is intended to emphasize (e.g. Ac 12:3; 1 Joh 4:21). Mt 6:14 should therefore read, "Your heavenly Father will forgive you also"; Lu 6:13, "Whom also he named apostles"; Heb 8:6, "The mediator of a better covenant also"; and 1Th 4:14, `If we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so also (we believe that) those who are fallen asleep in Jesus, God will bring with Him.'
לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'
לֹא or לוֹא adv. not
base
H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not
3808 lo' lo
or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often
used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,
ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,
no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out
of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +
of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.
לֹא (lo) — not.
1) not, no
1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)
1b) not (with modifier-negation)
1c) nothing (subst)
1d) without (with particle)
1e) before (of time)
Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Part — ParticleHTn
יָכֹל (yakol) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to be able' or 'to have power.' It encompasses a range of abilities, including physical, moral, and constitutional strength, as well as the capacity to endure or prevail. The entries highlight its use in various contexts, but do not provide specific verse references.
יָכֹל, יָכוֹל 193 vb. be able, have power, prevail, endure
Qal
be able, to do a thing,, whether ability be physical, moral, constitutional, or dependent on external authority
prevail
abs. have ability, strength, only neg.
base
H3201 יָכֹל, יָכוֹל be able, have power, prevail, endure .. be able, to do a thing,, whether ability be physical, moral, constitutional, or dependent on external authority
. prevail
. abs. have ability, strength, only neg.
3201 yakol yaw-kole'
or (fuller) yakowl {yaw-kole'}; a primitive root; to be able,
literally (can, could) or morally (may, might):--be able, any
at all (ways), attain, can (away with, (-not)), could, endure,
might, overcome, have power, prevail, still, suffer.
יָכֹל (ya.khol) — be able.
1) to prevail, overcome, endure, have power, be able
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be able, be able to gain or accomplish, be able to endure, be able to reach
1a2) to prevail, prevail over or against, overcome, be victor
1a3) to have ability, have strength
Aramaic equivalent: ye.khel (יְכִל "be able" H3202)
V-Qal-Perf-3cp — Verb · Qal · perfect third person common pluralHVqp3cp
נִי (ni) — me.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 1st person singular
HR/Sp1bs — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp1bs
