Martin Luther on Psalms 129:5

Verse. 5. Let them that hate Sion bee confounded and turned back.

This (as before I haue said) is a prayer. But ye know that in euery prayer there is a promise included, which promise this word Righteous doth expresse in the former verse with a singular vehemencie, to the ende we shoulde not murmur, or blaspheme God, as though he were not mindfull of vs, or had no regard of vs. Now, where he saith: Let them be confounded & turned backe, it is an exposition of that which he saide before, that their cordes should be cut, that is to say, their kingdoms, their power, their riches, their lawes, and finally their whole politike body and common weale should be brought to nought: as it befell to Babylon, Niniuie, Ierusalem, Athens, Corinth, Thebe, Rome, and briefly to all kingdoms and common weales which did not submit them selues vnto the Gospell. For when they proudly stretched out their neckes and set them selues against Christ their Ring, and by their power sought to oppresse him, they were destroyed. In like maner must we also pray, and certainely looke for the executiō of Gods vengeance vpon those which at this day haue set them selues against the Gospell: as the Pope and his Bishoppes, with all their faction, and with all the Kings and Princes of the earth which maintaine and defende their impietie: for at the last they shall be confounded. But the Gospell and the worde of the Lord shal endure for euer. For the name of Christ shal neuer be oppressed, but being faithfully called vpon, shall alwaies be ready to help the afflicted, and shall cut the cordes now of this wicked man, and now of that.

Thus the holy Ghost comforteth vs sundry wayes. For when we haue learned that Satan is such a spirite as neuer ceaseth to tempt and to vexe vs (so that when he can not ouercome vs by the greatnes and the multitude of tentations, he goeth about to doe it by the tediousnes and long continuance therof) he would haue vs to comfort our selues herewith, that albeit these tentations continue long, yet notwithstanding they shall haue an ende. And since we are forwarned both of the continuance and of the ende thereof, it is the more easie for vs to beare them. Here is to be noted also that he sheweth to whom he wisheth euill, namely to those which hate Sion. And that hatred which they bare against Sion, was an hatred against God. For in that Satan hateth the Church, he doth it not onely in respect of men, but because he hateth God him selfe whom the church prayseth and magnifieth. Moreouer, Sion was a place which God had chosen vnto him self. Like as therfore God had chosen that place to shew his great loue towards it: so had Satan chosen the same to shewe his malice against it, and with all his power to vexe it. In like maner not onely Satan, but also the malignant Church of the Pope doth persecute vs, not because we are euil in the sight of the world. For this they could wel suffer, yea & would be glad if they might heare that we are whoremongers & murtherers as they are. But the true cause why they so deadly hate and persecute vs is this, for that it greeueth them that we in their eyes are innocent as touching the second table, and also obedient to the first, wherein we are commaunded to honour, serue and prayse the Lord, to feare him, to trust in his mercie, &c.