Psalms 125

A song of ascents.

1 Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.

2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people both now and forevermore.

3 The scepter of the wicked will not remain over the land allotted to the righteous, for then the righteous might use their hands to do evil.

4 LORD, do good to those who are good, to those who are upright in heart.

5 But those who turn to crooked ways the LORD will banish with the evildoers. Peace be on Israel.

Psalms 125 Commentary

Chapter 125

The security of the righteous. (1-3) Prayer for them, The ruin of the wicked. (4,5)

Verses 1-3 All those minds shall be truly stayed, that are stayed on God. They shall be as Mount Zion, firm as it is; a mountain supported by providence, much more as a holy mountain supported by promise. They cannot be removed from confidence in God. They abide for ever in that grace which is the earnest of their everlasting continuance in glory. Committing themselves to God, they shall be safe from their enemies. Even mountains may moulder and come to nothing, and rocks be removed, but God's covenant with his people cannot be broken, nor his care of them cease. Their troubles shall last no longer than their strength will bear them up under them. The rod of the wicked may come, may fall upon the righteous, upon their persons, their estates, their liberties, their families names, on any thing that falls to their lot; only it cannot reach their souls. And though it may come upon their lot, it shall not rest thereon. The Lord will make all work together for their good. The wicked shall only prove a correcting rod, not a destroying sword; even this rod shall not remain upon them, lest they distrust the promise, thinking God has cast them off.

Verses 4-5 God's promises should quicken our prayers. The way of holiness is straight; there are no windings or shiftings in it. But the ways of sinners are crooked. They shift from one purpose to another, and turn hither and thither to deceive; but disappointment and misery shall befal them. Those who cleave to the ways of God, though they may have trouble in their way, their end shall be peace. The pleading of their Saviour for them, secures to them the upholding power and preserving grace of their God. Lord, number us with them, in time, and to eternity.

Cross References

• 1. Psalms 48:12; Isaiah 33:20
• 2. Psalms 46:5; Psalms 48:2-5
• 3. S 1 Chronicles 21:15
• 4. Psalms 32:10; Psalms 121:8; Zechariah 2:4-5
• 5. S Esther 4:11
• 6. Psalms 89:22; Proverbs 22:8; Isaiah 13:11; Isaiah 14:5
• 7. 1 Samuel 24:10; Psalms 55:20
• 8. S Psalms 119:65; Psalms 119:68
• 9. S Psalms 7:10; Psalms 36:10; Psalms 94:15
• 10. S Job 23:11
• 11. Proverbs 2:15; Isaiah 59:8
• 12. Psalms 92:7
• 13. Psalms 128:6; Galatians 6:16

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 125

\\<>\\. Who was the penman of this psalm, and on what occasion written, is not certain. It describes the safety and security of the church and people of God; foretells the deliverance of them from the oppressions of their enemies; the blessings of goodness that should be bestowed upon them, and the vengeance that will be taken on the wicked. According to Aben Ezra, it belongs to the times of the Messiah, whom the Jews yet expect; when Israel, as they suppose, will be in safe and prosperous circumstances, and the wicked will be consumed; as Kimchi on it also observes: and, indeed, it may be very well thought to belong to the latter days of the kingdom of our Messiah; when the church will be in great safety and prosperity, and freed from the persecution and afflictions of wicked men.