Psalm 129 is about those who hate Zion (v. 5). In the Psalms, especially these songs of ascents, Zion was both geographical and theological. Geographically, it was a general reference to the elevated city of Jerusalem; and specifically the location of the royal palace and eventually included the temple. It was the place the Israelite pilgrims ascended to in these psalms. Theologically, Zion represented the nation of Israel and its people as the people of God. In Psalm 129:1-4, the writer speaks of the many times the enemies of Zion have persecuted Israel, but the LORD is righteous and has delivered them. The second stanza of the song, verses 5-8, is a prayer against those who hate Zion: that they be put to shame, that they wither and not prosper, nor that they ever receive the blessing of the LORD.
That prayer is consistent with the prophecies of the second coming of the Lord Jesus, the Messiah, who will restore Zion to be His possession – Zion the city, Zion the nation, and Zion the people of God (Isaiah 52:1; 60:14).
And the sons of those who afflicted you will come bowing to you, and all those who despised you will bow themselves at the soles of your feet; and they will call you the city of the LORD, the Zion of the Holy One of Israel (Isaiah 60:14).
The message of the Bible is not, as some wrongly assume: Israel, right or wrong! God Himself has disciplined Israel when she has done wrong and despised Him. However, this psalm stands as a vivid reminder to us, to all men, and to nations to not persecute Zion – to do so is to be cursed of God according to God’s promise long ago to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3).