Psalms 125:1-5
1 They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.
2 As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.
3 For the rod of the wickeda shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.
4 Do good, O LORD, unto those that be good, and to them that are upright in their hearts.
5 As 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.
DESCRIPTIVE TITLE
Trust in Jehovah Encouraged in Presence of the Invader.
ANALYSIS
Stanza I., Psalms 125:1-2, Jerusalem Safe under Jehovah's Protection. Stanza II., Psalms 125:3, The Sceptre of the Lawless One will be Removed. Stanza III., Psalms 125:4-5, Prayer for the Good, a Threatening for Such as Yield to the Enemy, and a Benediction on Israel.
(Lm.) Song of the Steps.
1
They who trust in Jehovah
are like Mount Zion which cannot be shaken.
2
To the ages sitteth Jerusalem enthroned
mountains round about her;
And Jehovah is round about his people
from henceforth and to the ages.
3
Surely he will not let the sceptre of the lawless one[740] rest
[740] So some cod. (w. Sep., Syr., Vul.)Gn. M.T.: (changing a vowel-point): lawlessness.
on the lot of the righteous,
To the end the righteous may not thrust forth
on perversity their hand.
4
Oh do good Jehovah unto such as are good
even to such as are upright in their hearts;
5
But as for such as turn aside their crooked ways
Jehovah will lead them forth with the workers of iniquity![741]
[741] Or: mischief (naughtinessDr.)
Peace upon Israel!
(Nm.)
PARAPHRASE
Those who trust in the Lord are steady as Mount Zion, unmoved by any circumstance.
2 Just as the mountains surround and protect Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds and protects His people.
3 For the wicked shall not rule the godly, lest the godly be forced to do wrong.
4 O Lord, do good to those who are good, whose hearts are right with the Lord;
5 But lead evil men to execution. And let Israel have quietness and peace.
EXPOSITION
Each stanza in this psalm bears witness to the presence of the Invader. The word for trust in Psalms 125:1 is the same as that found in 2 Chronicles 32:10. Psalms 125:3 assumes that the sceptre of the foreigner is at present resting on Israel's inheritance; but is a source of danger to the wavering. In Psalms 125:5 we catch sight of those who are coquetting with the enemy and running into the danger of being involved in his ruin: as the Assyrianssuch as are leftare about to be led away in shame to their own land, so let all renegades in Israel beware lest they too be led forth with the authors of all this trouble. Mount Zion itself stands firm amidst her surrounding mountains: so let Jehovah's people rest trustful under Jehovah's strong protection. The political situation was one which called for the encouragement ministered by the words; and the conduct of Hezekiah in the day of adversity shows the mighty influence of Isaiah's advice and the prevailing efficacy of his prayersThirtle, O.T.P., 44.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
1.
Read 2 Chronicles 32:10 and discuss its application to this psalm.
2.
Even when Sennecharib was about to conquer Jerusalem there were those who were coquetting with the enemyhow do we know this?
3.
How do the prayers of Isaiah relate to this psalm?