“Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand; nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom.”
With which a reaper does not fill his hand, nor a binder of sheaves his bosom. The continuation of the vegetation metaphor emphasizes the utter worthlessness and insubstantiality of the enemies—even a harvester would find nothing to gather here. The empty hand and bosom of the agricultural worker underscore that these enemies yield nothing of value; they produce no crop, no sustenance, no increase. This verse extends the metaphor into economic terms: not only do they wither, but their withering results in absolute loss, profitability, and material futility. The image reinforces the fate of all who oppose God's purposes—inevitable eclipse and complete failure to achieve their destructive aims.
Church Fathers on Psalms 129:7
1. The Psalm which we have sung is short: but as it is written in the Gospel of Zacchæus that he was “little of stature,” Luke 19:2-9 but mighty in works; as it is written of that widow who cast two mites into the treasury, little was the money, but great was her charity; Mark 12:42, 44 thus also this Psalm, if you count the words, is short; if you weigh the sentiments, is great....Let the Spirit of God speak, let It speak to us, let It sing to us; whether we wish or wish not…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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