Unknown
Psalm 125
A Song of degrees.
Scripture (KJV)
1They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.
2As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.
3For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.
4Do good, O Lord, unto those that be good, and to them that are upright in their hearts.
5As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the Lord shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: but peace shall be upon Israel.
Summary
Psalm 125 is a Song of Ascents that uses the geography of Jerusalem to portray the security of God’s people. Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion—immovable, abiding forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people from henceforth even forever. The third verse offers a pastoral assurance: the rod of the wicked will not rest on the lot of the righteous, lest the righteous stretch out their hands to iniquity. God limits the reach of oppression to protect His people’s integrity.
The closing verses are both a prayer and a warning: “Do good, O Lord, unto those that be good, and to them that are upright in their hearts.” Those who turn aside to crooked ways will be led forth with the workers of iniquity, but peace shall be upon Israel. The major themes are trust, security, God’s surrounding protection, integrity, and peace. Practically, the psalm teaches that trust in the Lord produces stability like a mountain, and that God’s surrounding presence is the believer’s true security. The great lesson is that those who trust in the Lord are as immovable as Zion, for the Lord is round about His people forever.
Key Themes
A Prayer from Psalm 125
Lord, make me like Mount Zion—unable to be removed, abiding forever—because my trust is in You. As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, be round about me and Your people from henceforth even forever. Let not the rod of the wicked rest on the lot of the righteous, but keep me from stretching out my hands to iniquity. Do good to those who are good and upright in heart; make me one of them. Guard me from turning aside to crooked ways, and lead me in the path of peace. Let peace be upon Israel, upon Your church, and upon my household, for You are our surrounding mountain and our sure defense. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Reflection Questions
- 1What does it mean for me to be “as mount Zion” because I trust in the Lord?
- 2How does the image of mountains surrounding Jerusalem comfort me today?
- 3Where am I tempted to “turn aside unto crooked ways,” and how can I stay upright?
- 4How can I pray verse 4—“Do good, O Lord, unto those that be good”—for myself and others?
Related Psalms
Psalm 121
“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.”
Psalm 121 is one of the "Songs of Ascents" sung by pilgrims journeying up to Jerusalem.
Read morePsalm 122
“I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.”
Psalm 122 is a Song of Ascents attributed to David, expressing the joy of pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
Read morePsalm 123
“Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens.”
Psalm 123 is a brief Song of Ascents of humble dependence.
Read morePsalm 124
“If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, now may Israel say;”
Psalm 124 is a Song of Ascents of David that imagines what would have happened “if it had not been the Lord who was on our side.
Read morePsalm 46
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
God our refuge amid chaos; be still and know that He is God.
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