The LORD is righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked.

PSALMS 129:4KJV
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Psalms 129:4 (KJV)

What does Psalms 129:4 mean?

Psalms 129:4 says that the LORD is just and fair, and He has broken the power or control that wicked people had over others. The verse gives assurance that God does not let the oppression of the wicked last forever, but steps in to set things right.

The speaker in this psalm is reflecting on Israel’s history of suffering under enemies, but now points to God’s character as righteous (always doing what is right) and as someone who intervenes. The image of “cutting asunder the cords of the wicked” suggests breaking free from bondage or oppression, showing that God acts to deliver His people from those who do evil.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 129:4

  • LORD (יְהוָה, Yahweh): This is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing His covenant relationship with Israel and His faithfulness to act on their behalf.
  • righteous (צַדִּיק, tsaddiq): This word means just or morally right. Here, it highlights that God’s actions—especially in breaking the power of the wicked—are always fair and just.
  • asunder (קָצַץ, qatsats): This verb means to cut off or cut apart. The picture is of God decisively severing whatever binds or oppresses, not just loosening but completely breaking it.
  • cords (עֲבֹתוֹת, avotot): These are ropes or bindings. In this context, they symbolize the means by which the wicked try to control or enslave others.
  • wicked (רָשָׁע, rasha): This term refers to those who act unjustly or do evil, especially those who oppress God’s people.

Why Psalms 129:4 matters

  • Psalms 129:4 clarifies that God’s justice is not just a future hope but something He actively demonstrates by breaking the hold of oppressors.
  • The verse connects Israel’s past suffering to God’s ongoing commitment to their freedom, showing that oppression is not the final word.
  • By focusing on God’s righteousness and intervention, the verse reassures readers that evil does not go unchecked and that God’s character guarantees justice.

Where else these words appear

“asunder” Hebrew H7112 · used in 14 verses

  • Exodus 39:3 And they did beat the gold into thin plates, and cut it into wires, to work it in the blue, and in the purple, and in the scarlet, and in the fine linen, with cunning work.
  • 2 Samuel 4:12 And David commanded his young men, and they slew them, and cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged them up over the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ishbosheth, and buried it in the sepulchre of Abner in Hebron.
  • 2 Chronicles 28:24 And Ahaz gathered together the vessels of the house of God, and cut in pieces the vessels of the house of God, and shut up the doors of the house of the LORD, and he made him altars in every corner of Jerusalem.

“cords” Hebrew H5688 · used in 23 verses

  • Exodus 28:14 And two chains of pure gold at the ends; of wreathen work shalt thou make them, and fasten the wreathen chains to the ouches.
  • Judges 15:13 And they spake unto him, saying, No; but we will bind thee fast, and deliver thee into their hand: but surely we will not kill thee. And they bound him with two new cords, and brought him up from the rock.
  • Isaiah 5:18 Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope: