Psalms 125

Psalms 125:1

Psalm 125: The Way of Peace125:1 Mount Zion is one of the promontories in the city of Jerusalem, and is sometimes used as a figure of speech for the city itself. Here it signifies the ultimate in stability and strength, a citadel that cannot be moved. The man of faith is like that. His life is built on the solid rock. When the rains fall, and the floods come, and the winds blow and beat upon his house, it does not fall, because it has been built on the rock (Mat_7:25). The psalmist says that Mount Zion . . . abides forever. As far as the earthly city is concerned, this must be understood as the way it appeared to believers at that time. We know from the NT that the earth will some day be destroyed by fire (2Pe_3:7, 2Pe_3:10, 2Pe_3:12). However, we ourselves use similar expressions. We speak of the everlasting hills and the eternal city (Rome). The important point is that although Mt. Zion will one day be destroyed, the believer in Christ will never perish. Because he is positionally in Christ, he is as safe as God can make him. 125:2 The psalmist saw another spiritual truth in the topography of Jerusalem. It is surrounded by mountains from which its army can guard every approach to the city. So the LORD Himself forms a protective ring around His children “from this time forth and forever.” This is the hedge which Satan spoke of as encircling Job. Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? (Job_1:10). Which means, of course, that nothing can reach the trusting saint except by the permissive will of God. 125:3 Another gigantic claim is made in verse 3: For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the land allotted to the righteous, lest the righteous reach out their hands to iniquity.Some might take exception to the first part of this verse by pointing out that the land of Israel has often been invaded and conquered by wicked men. This is true. But the verse must be interpreted in its context. The Psalm is dealing with people who trust in the Lord; its promises are only for that kind of people. It was only when Israel was away from the Lord that its borders were violated and its walls breached. As long as they obeyed the Lord and trusted in Him, the scepter of wickedness, that is, the rule of wicked Gentile monarchs, was not allowed to come near them. An interesting reason is given why God kept back the menacing enemies of Israel during times when the people walked with Him. The reason was that the righteous Israelites might be tempted to reach out their hands to do wrong. God saves us not only from outside foes but from the inner self and its tendency to sin when unjustly treated. 125:4 The fourth verse must also be understood in the context: Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, and to those who are upright in their hearts. The good people here are those who have been saved by faith and who walk in obedience to the Lord. Their uprightness is not the basis of their salvation, but is the fruit of their trust and obedience. 125:5 There are others who profess to be members of God’s people but who turn aside to their crooked ways. The LORD shall lead them away into captivity and dispersion with the workers of iniquity. Peace be upon Israel! The Psalm itself gives the formula for peace, both for Israel and everyone else. It is found through trust in the Lord Jesus. When Israel turns to Him whom they pierced and mourns for Him as for an only Son, then the peace that has eluded them for centuries will be theirs at last. Shalom, shalom!