Charles H. Spurgeon on Psalms 129:5

1. An inexcusable hatred described: "hate Zion", God's church and cause. For, a) Her people are righteous. b) Her faith is a gospel. c) Her mission is peace. d) Her very existence is the world's preservation.

2. An inveterate sinfulness indicated: "Them that hate Zion." For, whatever moral virtues they may boast of, they must be, a) Enemies to the human race. b) In defiant opposition to God. c) Perversely blind, as Saul, or radically vile. d) Devil like.

3. An instinctive feeling of a good man expressed: "Let them all be", etc. Prompted by, a) His love to God. b) Love to man. c) Love to righteousness. Hence, its existence is in itself a pledge that the righteous God will respect and comply with it. —J. F.

Verses 5-8.

1. The characters described. a) They do not love Zion. They say not, "Lord, I have loved the habitation of thine house", etc. b) They hate Zion —both its King and its subjects.

2. Their prosperity: "As the grass", etc.

3. Their end. a) Shame: "Let them be confounded." b) Loss: "Turned back." c) Disappointment. No mowing; no reaping. d) Dishonour. Unblessed by others as well as in themselves. —G. R.

Verses 6-9. The wicked flourishing and perishing.

1. Eminent in position.

2. Envied in prosperity.

3. Evanescent in duration.

4. Empty as to solidity.

5. Excepted from blessing.