| Verse | Translation | Text |
| Ps 129:7 | King James | Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand; nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom. |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
| Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand - It cannot be gathered and laid up for the use of cattle, as grass can that grows in the field. It is valueless for any such purpose; or, is utterly worthless. The phrase "filleth not his hand" seems to be derived from the idea of reaping, where the reaper with one hand takes hold of the grain which he reaps, and cuts it off with the sickle in the other. Nor he that bindeth sheaves - The man who gathers in the harvest. This was commonly performed by a different person from the reaper. His bosom - This word would commonly refer to the bosom of the garment, in which tilings were carried; or that part above the girdle. It may be used here, however, in a larger sense - since it is incongruous to suppose that sheaves of grain would be carried thus - as meaning simply that one who gathered the sheaves would usually convey them in his arms, folding them to his bosom. |