Psalms 129:8

8 May those who pass by not say to them, “The blessing of the LORD be on you; we bless you in the name of the LORD.”

Psalms 129:8 in Other Translations

8 Neither do they which go by say, The blessing of the LORD be upon you: we bless you in the name of the LORD.

8 nor do those who pass by say, "The blessing of the LORD be upon you! We bless you in the name of the LORD!"

8 And may those who pass by refuse to give them this blessing: “The LORD bless you; we bless you in the LORD ’s name.”

8 Before the neighbors have a chance to call out, "Congratulations on your wonderful crop! We bless you in God's name!"

8 Then none who pass by will say, "May the Lord's blessing be on you." We bless you in the name of the Lord.

Psalms 129:8 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 129:8

Neither do they which go by say, the blessing of the Lord [be]
upon you
As was usual with passengers, when they went by where mowers, and reapers, and binders, were at work in the field in harvest time; who used to wish the presence and blessing of God with them, and upon their labours; and who returned the salutation, as may be seen in Boaz and his reapers, ( Ruth 2:4 ) ;

we bless you in the name of the Lord;
which is either a continuation of the blessing of the passengers, or the answer of the reapers to them; so the Targum,

``nor do they answer them, "we bless you",'' &c.

The sense is, that those wicked men would have no blessing on them, from God nor men; that no God speed would be wished them; but that they were like the earth, that is covered with briers and thorns; which is nigh unto cursing, and its end to be burned.

Psalms 129:8 In-Context

6 May they be like grass on the roof, which withers before it can grow;

7 a reaper cannot fill his hands with it, nor one who gathers fill his arms.

8 May those who pass by not say to them, “The blessing of the LORD be on you; we bless you in the name of the LORD.”

Cross References

• 1. Ruth 2:4; Psalms 118:26