Old Testament
Psalms 129:4
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
The LORD is righteous; he has cut apart the cords of the wicked.
Compare translations
The LORD is righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked.
What Psalms 129:4 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, the psalmist declares the righteousness of the Lord, emphasizing that God has severed the bonds that the wicked have used to oppress others. The 'cords of the wicked' symbolize the power and influence that evil people exert over the innocent and the faithful. By stating that God has 'cut apart' these cords, the psalmist reassures believers that God actively intervenes in human affairs to bring justice and liberation. This act of cutting signifies a decisive and powerful action by God to free His people from the grip of evil. It highlights the theme of divine justice, where God not only sees the suffering of the righteous but also takes action to rectify the situation. This verse serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and His commitment to uphold righteousness, encouraging believers to trust in His power to deliver them from oppression.
How to apply Psalms 129:4 to your life
In our lives, we may face situations where we feel oppressed or overwhelmed by evil. This verse encourages us to trust in God's righteousness and His ability to deliver us from such circumstances. We can find hope in knowing that God sees our struggles and will act on our behalf.
Curated for this public verse page. Psalms Summary
Explore more of the Bible
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from Esther's story: Esther Becomes Queen (Esther 2:1–18)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Esther
Photo: Deror Avi, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Source. Location: Tel Shiloh archaeological site, West Bank. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Shiloh
Where Israel set up the tabernacle, and where God called the boy Samuel.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Psalms 129:4
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Psalms 129:4
Related Bible verses
Key themes
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Psalms
- Author
- David, Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and others
- Written
- Around 1000-500 BC
- Genre
- Poetry and worship
- Original Audience
- Worshipers of Israel
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Psalms 129:4 mean?
Psalms 129:4 expresses that the Lord is just and has removed the power of the wicked, symbolized by 'cords.' This signifies God's intervention to free the oppressed from evil influences.
What is the meaning of 'cords of the wicked' in Psalms 129:4?
The 'cords of the wicked' represent the control and oppression that evil people exert over others. In this verse, it indicates that God has severed these ties, freeing the righteous from their grasp.
How does Psalms 129:4 relate to divine justice?
Psalms 129:4 highlights divine justice by showing that God not only acknowledges the suffering of the righteous but also acts to liberate them from the power of the wicked.
What can we learn from Psalms 129:4?
From Psalms 129:4, we learn to trust in God's righteousness and His ability to deliver us from oppression. It encourages believers to have hope in God's commitment to justice.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.