Martin Luther on Psalms 129:1-2

The Commentary of Dr. Martin Luther, upon the CXXIX Pſalm.

THis Pſalm conſiſteth of two parts.The Argument of the Pſalm. In the former he giveth thanks to God for the defence and continual deliverance of the People of God. In the latter part he maketh his Prayer againſt the Adverſaries, and in praying he propheſieth withal. Both theſe ſerve for our inſtruction, and alſo contain an Exhortation to patience under the Croſs, which pertaineth not to one age or time, but as the continual Hiſtory of the Church doth ſhew, to all times, and to the whole life of man. Moreover we do here comprehend both Churches, of the Jews, and of the Gentiles, as Paul alſo in a manner joyneth them both together, when he ſaith, Firſt to the Jew, and then to the Grecian. For as touching the Church or People of the Jews, it appeareth by the Hiſtories, that they were placed in the midſt of their Enemies, as a goodly Roſe in the midſt of Thornes. On the Eaſt ſide, the Iſmaelites, the Arabians, and other cruel People vexed them. On the South part, the Egyptians, the Ethiopians, the Troglodites, the Philiſtines, and other like. On the North ſide, the Aſſyrians, &c. So the Church after the deſtruction of the Synagogue, is compaſſed every way with Enemies, and Chriſt, according to the Pſalm, reigneth in the midſt of his Enemies. Thus were they oftentimes and many ways afflicted. But herewithal God ſhewed this miracle, that when they were ſo afflicted, he always delivered them. And thus was the Kingdom of Iſrael a miraculous Kingdom, in that the Lord when he would correct and chaſtiſe them, ſuffered the Philiſtines, Edomites, Moabites, Aſſyrians and Babylonians to have victory over them. Again, when they ſeemed to be utterly oppreſſed, they victoriouſly prevailed againſt their Enemies. So continued this Kingdom in deſpite of the cruel Nations round about it, and of Satan himſelf: as is to be ſeen in the Books of the Kings and alſo of the Chronicles. Now, becauſe this People had both threatnings and promiſes ſet before them, as touching their afflictions and deliverance, this was unto them a great Conſolation, even when they were afflicted and ſpoiled, that they knew that all theſe things came to paſs not by the Will or Power of their Enemies, and much-leſs by their Righteouſneſs or Deſerts, but only by the Will of God thus puniſhing and chaſtiſing his People, yea threatning and forewarning them by the Prophets, that he would ſo puniſh the diſobedient. This is no ſmall Conſolation, that in thy Affliction and Calamity thou mayeſt be able to ſay; This is the ſcourge of God, thus correcting me, and viſiting my Sins; It is not the Wrath of God, or the merit and deſerving of my Adverſary.

Theſe things muſt we apply unto our ſelves alſo, to the end that when we be oppreſſed, we may comfort our ſelves that we are not oppreſſed by the power of Death, Sin, Hell, or any creature, but by the will of God our Creator, afflicting us and puniſhing our Sins and ingratitude; and yet ſo, that he leaveth unto us this fatherly promiſe, that he will not forſake us. And ſuch a figure of the whole Kingdom of Chriſt is ſet forth in the Apocalyps. For how much doth it ſpeak of evil Angels, of cruel beaſts, and ſuch other Plagues of the Church, which ſhould enter into the Church and the Kingdom of Chriſt, God ſo permitting? Notwithſtanding Conſolation followeth afflictions and calamities, and though the Church be never ſo ſore afflicted, yet ſhall it continue and endure, and at the length ſhall overcome and victoriouſly triumph.

But this Pſalm agreeth eſpecially unto our time, wherein the Church hath been moſt grievouſly afflicted both under the Turks and alſo under the Romiſh biſhops, yea and as it were utterly aboliſhed: So that if ye weigh the matter well, it may appear that the Condition of the Jews in Babylon was better then the ſtate of the Church under Antichriſt; where the true uſe of the Sacraments was taken away, the benefit of Chriſt darkned, faith extinguiſhed, no true ſervice of God uſed, no true good works exerciſed; gnerally, all things which pertain to true Religion were clean aboliſhed, or moſt miſerably deformed and defaced. Wherefore, like as the Jews in Babylon were put from the ſight and uſe of the Temple, the Sacrifices, the Ceremonies, and all politick Government: ſo the Church under Antichriſt had no true miniſtry, no true ſervice of God, not her own Kingdom and Government, but was conſtrained to obſerve and keep the Heatheniſh Rites and Ceremonies of the Papiſts. Thus was the Wrath, and thus have been the Puniſhments of God in a manner all one, in the Church of the Jews and the Gentiles.

Wherefore it is moſt neceſſary that we lay hold upon this Conſolation, that, as the Pſalm ſaith, We are afflicted, we are caſt down, we are troden under foot, but we are not overcome. For the Church ſhall ſtand and remain invincible, notwithſtanding that through great incredulity and incredible infirmity, the victory thereof is hidden and cannot be ſeen. As it was under the Pope, where all Schools and all Churches taught nothing elſe but the blaſphemous Doctrine of the Romiſh Biſhops, and doting Dreams of the Monks. This was the very ſame thing that the Pſalm 73. complaineth of, where it ſaith, We ſee not our ſignes: and yet God had even then his Church, although it was very little, obſcure, and miſerably deformed. Before the Kingdom of the Romiſh Antichriſt, what a ſwarw of Hereticks ſprang up? Of whom alſo the Church was ſore vexed and afflicted, even as the Jews were afflicted of the Nations which dwelled near unto them. And like as the Captivity followed that affliction of the Jews, ſo the Kingdom of the Romiſh Biſhops was that Captivity which followed the out ragious fury of the Hereticks, and out of the which alſo have flowed all the evils, and plagues which have been ever ſince in the Church, as out of a foul ſink, and filthy puddle. But now by the great mercy of God the Captivity begineth to be turned, the Temple is repaired, and the true Service of God reſtored.

This Pſalm after my judgement, ſpeaketh generally of all ſuch troubles and afflictions of the Church, as have been at all times and in all ages; As firſt, that the Kingdom of the Jews when they were yet under good Kings, was mightily aſſailed, but yet not utterly overcome; And that the people afterwards were ſpoyled of the Aſſyrians and Babylonians, and carried away Captive, but not clean forſaken. For they were again delivered out of Captivity, and in their own land enjoyed the promiſe concerning Chriſt. Thus ſpeaketh the Pſalm firſt of the Jewiſh Church. Afterwards it comprehendeth as a Prophecy, the State and Condition of the Church of the Gentiles; to wit, that God would preſerve and defend it againſt all Hereticks, againſt all the rage and fury of the World, againſt the Kingdom of the Romiſh Antichriſt, and moreover againſt all the tentations of Sin, which vex and oppreſs the Conſcience. Thus muſt we apply this Pſalm to all times and ages of the Church, to all changes and alterations, all dangers of the World, the Fleſh, Sin, the Law, Death, and the Gates of Hell. For the World aſſaileth it with power and wiſdom; the Devil, with deſperation and dubitation; Hereticks with errors in Faith and Religion, and the Conſcience with Sins. In all theſe Perils we ſay, Bleſſed be the Lord God, who ſuffereth us not to be tempted above that we are able to bear. Indeed we muſt be tempted and tryed, but in the Tentation he will give an outſcape; beſides this, that he giveth us ſtrength alſo to bear the Tentation until the time of deliverance come. This benefit David here ſetteth forth, and ſheweth unto us the ſtate of his people, to the end we may thereby learn this Comfort, that like as he preſerved that People, even ſo will he alſo preſerve us. For we have one and the ſame God, the ſame Spirit, the ſame Word, the ſame Promiſes, and briefly all things elſe whatſoever. Wherefore we may ſay and ſing with David;

Verſe 1. They have oftentimes afflicted me from my youth, may Iſrael now ſay: Verſe 2. They have oftentimes afflicted me from my youth, but they could not prevail againſt me. He nameth no certain Enemy, to the end he may comprehend all. Where he ſaith, from my youth, he underſtandeth all the time from their primitive Church (as we call it) until Iſrael began firſt to be the People of God. For albeit we ever praiſe thoſe things which are moſt ancient and of greateſt antiquity (as the primitive Church is indeed worthy to be praiſed) yet God regardeth not this difference. For in all times, and even in the laſt ages of the Church he gave notable Prophets, to the people of Iſrael; as before the Captivity, Iſaiah of all other the moſt excellent; after the Captivity, Aggaus, Zachary and others. In the mean time between Moyſes and theſe, were Helias, Helizeus, &c. So we ſee that the Primitive Church was more pure from Hereticks and wicked Opinions. But yet notwithſtanding there were ſome notable Prophets and other excellent men even in the latter times. And when the root of Jeſſe ſeemed now to be withered, yet God raiſed up Anna, Simeon, Zachary and Elizabeth. For God preſerveth his Church though it be never ſo much aſſailed and oppreſſed, according to his promiſe. Only let us open our eyes that we may ſee from whence this cometh. And here we may not look to thoſe things which the World eſpecially eſteemeth and magnifieth, but we muſt behold the Church as it is afflicted, oppreſſed, and full of Calamity. For this is the true face of the Church of God, that it is weak, environed with all deadly Engines, and compaſſed with all the furies of the Devil, the World, the Fleſh, Sin and Death. Theſe things he that will not behold, but flyeth and abhorreth them, ſhall never find out the true Church indeed. For that is not the the true picture and image of the Church which the Painters ſet forth, which paint her as a goodly Virgin, as a City well armed, adorned and beautified. Indeed that is a true picture, but not according to the Eyes of the Fleſh. But ſpiritual Eyes do ſee this great Beauty, that Chriſt is her Husband, and begot her unto himſelf by the Holy Ghoſt, beautified her and made her glorious with his own blood, with his merits and with his righteouſneſs. Of all theſe things the fleſh can ſee nothing, can judge nothing, but ſeeth rather the contrary, how ſhe is ſubject to moſt bitter hatred, malice, vexations and torments. Wherefore if it would paint her out in ſuch ſort as he ſeeth and beholdeth her, then muſt it paint and ſet her forth as a deformed and poor maiden, ſitting in a dangerous Wood or Deſac, in the midſt of cruel and hungry Lyons, Bears, Wolve, Swine, and Venemous Serpents: alſo in the midſt of outragious and furious men, attempting with Sword, Fire and Water to deſtroy her, and to root her out from the face of the Earth. As there is in the Apocalyps ſet forth a goodly Picture,Chap. 12. (then the which there is nothing more excellent in that book) that the Church as a deſolate woman, flyeth from the old Serpent or Dragon perſecuting her and her Child. Wherefore theſe words which David here uſeth, may very well be applied to her: Many times have mine Enemies afflicted me, many times have they vexed me. But this affliction ſeemeth rather to be an utter Deſtruction, if we follow the judgment of the fleſh; As if the Enemies did ſo prevail and overcome, that the Church were utterly oppreſſed and vanquiſhed for ever: As we all find by our own Experience in our Conflicts which privately we ſuffer in our Hearts, when Satan terrifieth and confoundeth our Conſciences. For then are raiſed up ſuch terrors, that no man can otherwiſe judge but that the victory is Satans, oppreſſing us with heavy and bitter Cogitations, with Tentations, Vexation, and Anguiſh of Spirit, and ſpoyling us (as to the fleſh it ſeemeth) of all the ſweet Conſolations which by the merit of Chriſt and the Word are offered unto us. According to this ſence we may well ſay, Oftentimes have they afflicted me. For this ſeemeth to be not only an affliction, but an utter Deſolation and Deſtruction. As we privately feel this every one in our own Hearts and Conſciences; ſo the whole body of the Church in all times doth confeſs, that it is vehemently aſſailed with ſtrong and mighty Armies of moſt deadly Enemies of all Nations, and oppugned with the Engines of all Tentations and Tribulations, even from her youth, that is, from the time that when the People were delivered out of Egypt, they began to be known from other Nations, and to be the people of God. But here the Church and the Children of God comfort and raiſe up themſelves again, having good Experience that in all theſe Calamities God ſhewed forth his Power, and not only remitted their Sin, but alſo turned away the puniſhment thereof, ſo that ſtill they remained a Church, and the practices of their Enemies were brought to nought. Wherefore the Prophet here, not only repeateth the danger and calamity of the Church, but with great joy he addeth withal an Exhortation, that every member of this body ſhould praiſe the mercy and goodneſs of the Lord, and ſay. They could not prevail againſt me. This is a ſingular Conſolation, not only for the whole Church of God, but alſo for every one of us particularly, againſt the proud brags of our Enemies, and the great hope which they have conceived, that they ſhall prevail againſt us. Hereticks and Sectaries do glory that they ſhall have the Victory. The Pope vaunting of his own ſtrength, and the power of Princes, cryeth out; We ſhall overcome. Satan joyneth with them both, and raiſeth up ſuch troubles, that it ſeemeth doubtful to whom the victory will fall. This oppreſſeth, not only every man privately, with great heavineſs and ſorrow, but alſo the whole Church. As we by Experience did prove in the Aſſembly gathered at Auguſta, where it ſeemed that our Enemies ſhould utterly have ſwallowed us up. But did not we there find theſe words to be full of Conſolation? They could not prevail. This Conſolation we muſt hold faſt even when we are killed, as by the Examples of the primitive Church we are taught. For the Church is as it were watered with the blood of the faithful, that the greater inccreaſe may come thereof. Now, like as theſe words of the Prophet are rightly applyed to that perſecution which is done with the ſword, ſo muſt they be applyed alſo to the aſſaults of Hereticks and Enthuſiaſts For it is their property to boaſt and brag of the Conqueſt, and always to triumph before the victory. But how ſoever our adverſaries triumph and glory, let us endeavour to hold faſt the word, and whatſoever we do, let us apply it wholly to the amplyfying of the Kingdom of Chriſt and his word. If then (as needs it muſt be) aſſaults and battels do follow, yet let us ſing with David, They could not prevail. For albeit they kill us, yet neither the Pope, nor any other hereticks, nor the Turk, nor Satan himſelf, ſhall ever be able to quench the Word: Neither yet ſhall they prevail againſt us if we ſtedfaſtly abide in the Word. Indeed this will we grant unto Satan, that he is ſtronger than we, and vexeth us many wayes. For many are the troubles of the juſt, but God will deliver them out of all. And why? Becauſe it is the word of God which they profeſs and teach; and moreover it is Gods own cauſe which they defend. Wherefore although the Pope attempt and practiſe never ſo much miſchief, and go about to ſtir up the whole world againſt us; although falſe brethren which walk not in true and ſound doctrine, continually vex us, although Satan himſelf never ceaſe to raiſe up the gates of hell againſt us, yet will we ſing with David even to the end, They could not prevail; yea and that only becauſe of the word.