Psalms 125

Psalms 125:1

The LORD Is Good

In Psalms 100:3 it is about Israel, but Psalms 100:4 is addressed to all, including the nations. To Israel and all the nations is said to enter “His gates with thanksgiving”. “His gates” are the gates of Jerusalem. Of these the LORD says that He loves them more than all the dwellings of Jacob (Psalms 87:2). He dwells in that city, for there is His dwelling place, the temple. All worshipers may bring their sacrifice “with praise” into “His courts”, which are the courts of the temple. So close to Him, so in His presence, it is not difficult to praise Him and praise His Name.

The occasion for thus coming to Him and praising Him are His goodness, His lovingkindness, and His faithfulness (Psalms 100:5). Of all people, there is no one who does good, “there is not even one” (Romans 3:12b). Only “the LORD is good” (cf. Mark 10:18). He always has good in mind. Everything He does and everything He gives is good. Always He causes all things to work together for good to those “who love God” (Romans 8:28).

He is not good only every now and then. He is good and therefore “His lovingkindness is everlasting” (cf. Psalms 136:1). His lovingkindness is not just lovingkindness as a feature, but lovingkindness that manifests itself in actions. Therefore, in Psalms 136, in each of the 26 verses of that psalm, God’s lovingkindness is linked to an act that demonstrates His lovingkindness. Forever here means during the realm of peace.

“Good” is not the same as “lovingkindness”. “Good” is the translation of the Hebrew word tov. “Lovingkindness” is the translation of the Hebrew word Adonai. What the text is saying is that God’s lovingkindness is evidenced by His goodness. ‘Goodness no one can take away from God because that is what He is. ‘Lovingkindness’ can be lost (cf. Genesis 24:27; Jeremiah 16:5). Lovingkindness is based on the covenant. If Israel does not keep the covenant, it loses the lovingkindness of God. On the basis of the blood of the new covenant, God’s lovingkindness can remain forever (Jeremiah 31:31-33; Matthew 26:28), while He remains eternally what He always was: good.

In direct connection with His lovingkindness, which is everlasting, by which is meant here the realm of peace, “His faithfulness” is mentioned (cf. Exodus 34:6-7; Psalms 25:6-7). His faithfulness is “to all generations”. Each new generation born in the realm of peace may count on His faithfulness. We may also count on this for the time we live on earth, as well as the generations that come after us, until the moment the Lord Jesus comes to take up His church.

Psalms 125:2

The LORD Is Good

In Psalms 100:3 it is about Israel, but Psalms 100:4 is addressed to all, including the nations. To Israel and all the nations is said to enter “His gates with thanksgiving”. “His gates” are the gates of Jerusalem. Of these the LORD says that He loves them more than all the dwellings of Jacob (Psalms 87:2). He dwells in that city, for there is His dwelling place, the temple. All worshipers may bring their sacrifice “with praise” into “His courts”, which are the courts of the temple. So close to Him, so in His presence, it is not difficult to praise Him and praise His Name.

The occasion for thus coming to Him and praising Him are His goodness, His lovingkindness, and His faithfulness (Psalms 100:5). Of all people, there is no one who does good, “there is not even one” (Romans 3:12b). Only “the LORD is good” (cf. Mark 10:18). He always has good in mind. Everything He does and everything He gives is good. Always He causes all things to work together for good to those “who love God” (Romans 8:28).

He is not good only every now and then. He is good and therefore “His lovingkindness is everlasting” (cf. Psalms 136:1). His lovingkindness is not just lovingkindness as a feature, but lovingkindness that manifests itself in actions. Therefore, in Psalms 136, in each of the 26 verses of that psalm, God’s lovingkindness is linked to an act that demonstrates His lovingkindness. Forever here means during the realm of peace.

“Good” is not the same as “lovingkindness”. “Good” is the translation of the Hebrew word tov. “Lovingkindness” is the translation of the Hebrew word Adonai. What the text is saying is that God’s lovingkindness is evidenced by His goodness. ‘Goodness no one can take away from God because that is what He is. ‘Lovingkindness’ can be lost (cf. Genesis 24:27; Jeremiah 16:5). Lovingkindness is based on the covenant. If Israel does not keep the covenant, it loses the lovingkindness of God. On the basis of the blood of the new covenant, God’s lovingkindness can remain forever (Jeremiah 31:31-33; Matthew 26:28), while He remains eternally what He always was: good.

In direct connection with His lovingkindness, which is everlasting, by which is meant here the realm of peace, “His faithfulness” is mentioned (cf. Exodus 34:6-7; Psalms 25:6-7). His faithfulness is “to all generations”. Each new generation born in the realm of peace may count on His faithfulness. We may also count on this for the time we live on earth, as well as the generations that come after us, until the moment the Lord Jesus comes to take up His church.

Psalms 125:4

Introduction

This psalm describes the principles of lovingkindness and justice according to which the King will rule His house and His land. In it there is no room for evil. It is the last psalm in the series of psalms dealing with the King and His reign (Psalms 93-101).

In Deuteronomy 17 we find the law for the king (Deuteronomy 17:18-20). He must continually take in the Word of God to learn to fear the LORD and thereby be so formed that he will be the king after God’s heart. Psalms 101 sings of such a king, yes, the only King with a heart in which God’s law dwells, Whose heart is perfect to rule. He is the Only One Who can say: “Your Law is within my heart” (Psalms 40:8b).

On this King will rest the Spirit of the LORD (Isaiah 11:2-5). As a result, He is perfectly suited to reign. Psalms 101 is a song of praise from and about Him. He is the Son of David Who speaks of the Lord (LORD) of David (Matthew 22:41-45).

We can say that this psalm is the measuring stick and touchstone for all governments in today’s world. The same applies to the exercise of the gift of leadership in the church (Romans 12:8).

Division of the psalm

Psalms 101:1-5 The King Christ. Psalms 101:6-8 The subjects in the realm of peace.

The Integrity of the Heart of the King

For “a Psalm of David” (Psalms 101:1a) see at Psalms 3:1.

David says he “will sing of lovingkindness and justice” (Psalms 101:1b). “Lovingkindness and justice” are the basis of his reign. This has been a desire with David, which he has not always lived up to. It is perfectly true in the Son of David, the Messiah. That is true of everything in this psalm. We see in what David says a description of the Messiah.

That the Messiah sings about lovingkindness and justice is because He finds His joy in displaying both of these features in His government. He possesses them because they are the attributes of the LORD. That is why He sings praises to the LORD. He honors Him by doing so.

It is a self-exhortation. He is actually saying: “Let me sing.” He is full of it, and from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks (cf. Psalms 89:1). The LORD has shown lovingkindness and justice, and about that the King wants to sing (Psalms 101:1). That will also exhort him to reign in fear of the LORD (Psalms 101:2).

A king must “give heed to”, or “behave prudently in” reigning with wise policies, not letting himself to be influenced in his reign and administration of justice (Psalms 101:2). We see this with the Messiah. Just as the Lord Jesus acted wisely during His first coming to earth (Isaiah 52:13), so He will also act wisely (the same verb as in Isaiah 52) during His second coming, in His government.

Personally He is blameless and goes “the perfect way” or a “way of integrity”. This is necessary in the first place. A blameless way is a way that is completely in accordance with God’s will. Only the Lord Jesus has gone that way. The psalm is primarily about Him.

The King asks the LORD for His presence, His nearness. This is also perfect with the Lord Jesus. He can say “the Father is with Me” (John 16:32). This enabled Him to behave prudently and go a blameless way. It shows His dependence on God.

He will show that He is bent on acting and walking according to the will of God by walking in His house “in the integrity” of His heart. An integrous heart is a heart that is always bent on doing the right thing so that it is to God’s glory. His “house” is the house of Israel. ‘Integrous’ is trustworthy, honest, not corruptible. This is a prerequisite for going the way of the LORD (Psalms 119:1).

For us New Testament believers, this means to celebrate the feast with unleavened bread of sincerity and truth (1 Corinthians 5:7-8). We do this when we live for the Lord Jesus. He is the true unleavened bread. In His life on earth and His life in heaven now, there is nothing of sin, of which leaven is a picture. He lives for His Father in everything.

Integrity of heart is evident in His abhorrence of every form of evil. The Messiah begins by saying what He will not set before His eyes (Psalms 101:3). He will not turn His eye to a “worthless thing”. What is in His heart, His integrity, is incompatible with is worthless i.e. with a practice that causes destruction. That He will not look at it implies that He will not even have ‘eye contact’ with it. Certainly, as King, He will see and judge corrupt practices, but here we are talking about His personal integrity toward His God (Psalms 119:37; Isaiah 33:15-17). Job is in some respect a follower of Him (Job 31:1).

The word ‘eyes’ occurs four times in this psalm and speaks of what is present to someone, what he sees. Here in Psalms 101:3 ‘set before him’ means to set as a goal in his life. In Psalms 101:5 ‘a haughty look’ means that someone seeks great things in life, that is pride. In Psalms 101:6 ‘my eyes upon’ is what is in a person’s surroundings and what his interest is in. In Psalms 101:7 ‘before me’ means: that I will not endure in my presence.

In the heart of the Messiah there is no connection with evil. What is in His heart is “hate” for “the work of those who fall away”. Therefore, the deeds of apostates “shall not fasten its grip on me”. There is no attachment in Him by which corrupt practices and apostates could affect Him (John 14:30). These negative characteristics are an endorsement of His complete devotion to God (cf. Psalms 1:1-2).

In Psalms 101:4, the psalmist returns to the heart. “A perverse heart” is contrasted with “the integrity” of his heart of Psa 101:2. The Messiah throws the perverse heart far from Himself. This does not concern only what is in Him. He “will know no evil”. The evildoer follows the promptings of his devious heart. With him the God-fearing King, the Messiah, wants nothing to do. He does not even know him (cf. Matthew 7:21-23). This evildoer is the antichrist, who leads the apostates, who are also all evildoers, in depraved practices.

Psalms 125:5

Introduction

This psalm describes the principles of lovingkindness and justice according to which the King will rule His house and His land. In it there is no room for evil. It is the last psalm in the series of psalms dealing with the King and His reign (Psalms 93-101).

In Deuteronomy 17 we find the law for the king (Deuteronomy 17:18-20). He must continually take in the Word of God to learn to fear the LORD and thereby be so formed that he will be the king after God’s heart. Psalms 101 sings of such a king, yes, the only King with a heart in which God’s law dwells, Whose heart is perfect to rule. He is the Only One Who can say: “Your Law is within my heart” (Psalms 40:8b).

On this King will rest the Spirit of the LORD (Isaiah 11:2-5). As a result, He is perfectly suited to reign. Psalms 101 is a song of praise from and about Him. He is the Son of David Who speaks of the Lord (LORD) of David (Matthew 22:41-45).

We can say that this psalm is the measuring stick and touchstone for all governments in today’s world. The same applies to the exercise of the gift of leadership in the church (Romans 12:8).

Division of the psalm

Psalms 101:1-5 The King Christ. Psalms 101:6-8 The subjects in the realm of peace.

The Integrity of the Heart of the King

For “a Psalm of David” (Psalms 101:1a) see at Psalms 3:1.

David says he “will sing of lovingkindness and justice” (Psalms 101:1b). “Lovingkindness and justice” are the basis of his reign. This has been a desire with David, which he has not always lived up to. It is perfectly true in the Son of David, the Messiah. That is true of everything in this psalm. We see in what David says a description of the Messiah.

That the Messiah sings about lovingkindness and justice is because He finds His joy in displaying both of these features in His government. He possesses them because they are the attributes of the LORD. That is why He sings praises to the LORD. He honors Him by doing so.

It is a self-exhortation. He is actually saying: “Let me sing.” He is full of it, and from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks (cf. Psalms 89:1). The LORD has shown lovingkindness and justice, and about that the King wants to sing (Psalms 101:1). That will also exhort him to reign in fear of the LORD (Psalms 101:2).

A king must “give heed to”, or “behave prudently in” reigning with wise policies, not letting himself to be influenced in his reign and administration of justice (Psalms 101:2). We see this with the Messiah. Just as the Lord Jesus acted wisely during His first coming to earth (Isaiah 52:13), so He will also act wisely (the same verb as in Isaiah 52) during His second coming, in His government.

Personally He is blameless and goes “the perfect way” or a “way of integrity”. This is necessary in the first place. A blameless way is a way that is completely in accordance with God’s will. Only the Lord Jesus has gone that way. The psalm is primarily about Him.

The King asks the LORD for His presence, His nearness. This is also perfect with the Lord Jesus. He can say “the Father is with Me” (John 16:32). This enabled Him to behave prudently and go a blameless way. It shows His dependence on God.

He will show that He is bent on acting and walking according to the will of God by walking in His house “in the integrity” of His heart. An integrous heart is a heart that is always bent on doing the right thing so that it is to God’s glory. His “house” is the house of Israel. ‘Integrous’ is trustworthy, honest, not corruptible. This is a prerequisite for going the way of the LORD (Psalms 119:1).

For us New Testament believers, this means to celebrate the feast with unleavened bread of sincerity and truth (1 Corinthians 5:7-8). We do this when we live for the Lord Jesus. He is the true unleavened bread. In His life on earth and His life in heaven now, there is nothing of sin, of which leaven is a picture. He lives for His Father in everything.

Integrity of heart is evident in His abhorrence of every form of evil. The Messiah begins by saying what He will not set before His eyes (Psalms 101:3). He will not turn His eye to a “worthless thing”. What is in His heart, His integrity, is incompatible with is worthless i.e. with a practice that causes destruction. That He will not look at it implies that He will not even have ‘eye contact’ with it. Certainly, as King, He will see and judge corrupt practices, but here we are talking about His personal integrity toward His God (Psalms 119:37; Isaiah 33:15-17). Job is in some respect a follower of Him (Job 31:1).

The word ‘eyes’ occurs four times in this psalm and speaks of what is present to someone, what he sees. Here in Psalms 101:3 ‘set before him’ means to set as a goal in his life. In Psalms 101:5 ‘a haughty look’ means that someone seeks great things in life, that is pride. In Psalms 101:6 ‘my eyes upon’ is what is in a person’s surroundings and what his interest is in. In Psalms 101:7 ‘before me’ means: that I will not endure in my presence.

In the heart of the Messiah there is no connection with evil. What is in His heart is “hate” for “the work of those who fall away”. Therefore, the deeds of apostates “shall not fasten its grip on me”. There is no attachment in Him by which corrupt practices and apostates could affect Him (John 14:30). These negative characteristics are an endorsement of His complete devotion to God (cf. Psalms 1:1-2).

In Psalms 101:4, the psalmist returns to the heart. “A perverse heart” is contrasted with “the integrity” of his heart of Psa 101:2. The Messiah throws the perverse heart far from Himself. This does not concern only what is in Him. He “will know no evil”. The evildoer follows the promptings of his devious heart. With him the God-fearing King, the Messiah, wants nothing to do. He does not even know him (cf. Matthew 7:21-23). This evildoer is the antichrist, who leads the apostates, who are also all evildoers, in depraved practices.