Psalms 125:5

Verse Psalms 125:5. As for such as turn aside] Who are not faithful; who give way to sin; who backslide, and walk in a crooked way, widely different from the straight way of the upright, ישרים yesharim, the straight in heart; they shall be led forth to punishment with the common workers of iniquity. Thus thy Church will be purified, and thy peace rest upon thy true Israel. Let him that readeth understand.

ANALYSIS OF THE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIFTH PSALM

It is the purpose of the psalmist to comfort the people of God, -

I. By an assurance of their perpetuity, both from God's presence and protection, Psalms 125:1.

II. That though he may permit them to be harassed by the wicked, yet he will not leave them under their rod. Psalms 125:3.

III. He prays for the good; and,

IV. Sets down the portion of the wicked, Psalms 125:4.

I. A general promise of the perpetuity of the Church; that is, of them "that trust in God."

1. "They that trust in the Lord:" "The congregation of God's faithful people, who have the pure word of God preached, and the sacraments duly administered," Acts xix. ??

2. "Shall be as Mount Zion," secure and immovable; immovable, because a mountain, - a holy mountain, - and particularly dear to God.

3. "Which abideth for ever:" So surely as Mount Zion shall never be removed, so surely shall the Church of God be preserved. Is it not strange that wicked and idolatrous powers have not joined together, dug down this mount, and carried it into the sea, that they might nullify a promise in which the people of God exult! Till ye can carry Mount Zion into the Mediterranean Sea, the Church of Christ shall grow and prevail. Hear this, ye murderous Mohammedans!

4. "As the mountains are round about Jerusalem," - to fortify it.

5. "So the Lord is round about his people" - to preserve them.

6."From henceforth, even for ever:" Through both time and eternity.

II. 1. But the Church is often persecuted and harassed. Granted; for the "rod," the power and scourge, "of the wicked, may come into the heritage of the righteous."

2. But then may it not finally prevail? No: for though it come, it shall not rest.

3. And why? Because it might finally destroy the Church, pervert the good, and cause them to join issue with the ungodly. Therefore, "they shall not be tempted above that they are able."

III. Therefore the psalmist prays, -

1. "Do good to the good:" Give them patience, and keep them faithful.

2. And "to the upright in heart:" Let not the weak and the sincere be overcome by their enemies:

IV. He sets down the lot of the ungodly: -

1. "They turn aside."

2. They get into crooked paths; they get into the spirit of the world, and are warped into its crooked and winding ways.

3. They shall be condemned, and then led forth to punishment. The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways; he shall have writhing in pain, for crooked walking in sin.

4. But while this is their portion, "peace," prosperity, and blessedness, "shall be upon Israel."