In this week’s study from Tehillim / Psalms 129:1-8, Yeshua the Messiah said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:10). Yeshua defines “persecution” as being reviled and having false things uttered against us. This is similar to what the psalmist is saying, but the Lord God turns the persecution into a future expectation of a blessing. One caveat regarding this blessing is that it is for persecution for “righteousness’ sake.” This is connected to our taking the Word of God into the world and living righteously before men and God. The psalm concludes saying, ה יֵבשׁוּ וְיִסֹּגוּ אָחוֹר כֹּל שֹנְאֵי צִיּוֹן: ו יִהְיוּ כַּחֲצִיר גַּגּוֹת שֶׁקַּדְמַת שָׁלַף יָבֵשׁ: ז שֶׁלֹּא מִלֵּא כַפּוֹ קוֹצֵר וְחִצְנוֹ מְעַמֵּר: ח וְלֹא אָמְרוּ | הָעֹבְרִים בִּרְכַּת יְהֹוָה אֲלֵיכֶם בֵּרַכְנוּ אֶתְכֶם בְּשֵׁם יְהֹוָה 129:5 May all who hate Zion Be put to shame and turned backward; 129:6 Let them be like grass upon the housetops, Which withers before it grows up; 129:7 With which the reaper does not fill his hand, Or the binder of sheaves his bosom; 129:8 Nor do those who pass by say, ‘The blessing of the Lord be upon you; We bless you in the name of the Lord.’ (NASB) The idea is God’s truth and His blessing comes forth from Zion, and so the one who hates Zion hates the place that bears God’s name. This is paralleled to God’s people upon whom the Lord has placed His name!