RELY ON GOD’S PROTECTION
Key verse: 2
NIV
Psalm 125
A song of ascents.
1 Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,(A)
which cannot be shaken(B) but endures forever.
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,(C)
so the Lord surrounds(D) his people
both now and forevermore.
3 The scepter(E) of the wicked will not remain(F)
over the land allotted to the righteous,
for then the righteous might use
their hands to do evil.(G)
4 Lord, do good(H) to those who are good,
to those who are upright in heart.(I)
5 But those who turn(J) to crooked ways(K)
the Lord will banish(L) with the evildoers.
Peace be on Israel.(M)
Cross references
- Psalm 125:1 : Ps 48:12; Isa 33:20
- Psalm 125:1 : Ps 46:5; 48:2-5
- Psalm 125:2 : S 1Ch 21:15
- Psalm 125:2 : Ps 32:10; Zec 2:4-5
- Psalm 125:3 : S Est 4:11
- Psalm 125:3 : Ps 89:22; Pr 22:8; Isa 13:11; 14:5
- Psalm 125:3 : 1Sa 24:10
- Psalm 125:4 : S Ps 119:65
- Psalm 125:4 : S Ps 36:10
- Psalm 125:5 : S Job 23:11
- Psalm 125:5 : Pr 2:15; Isa 59:8
- Psalm 125:5 : Ps 92:7
- Psalm 125:5 : Ps 128:6; Gal 6:16
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway
ESV
The Lord Surrounds His People
A Song of (A)Ascents.125 Those who (B)trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
which (C)cannot be moved, but abides forever.
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so (D)the Lord surrounds his people,
from this time forth and forevermore.
3 For (E)the scepter of wickedness shall not (F)rest
on (G)the land allotted to the righteous,
lest the righteous (H)stretch out
their hands to do wrong.
4 (I)Do good, O Lord, to those who are good,
and to those who are (J)upright in their hearts!
5 But those who (K)turn aside to their (L)crooked ways
the Lord will lead away with (M)evildoers!
(N)Peace be upon Israel!
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Cross references
- Psalm 125:1 : [See Ps. 120, title]
- Psalm 125:1 : Ps. 25:2, 3
- Psalm 125:1 : Ps. 93:1; 104:5; [Prov. 10:30]
- Psalm 125:2 : [2 Kgs. 6:17; Zech. 2:5]
- Psalm 125:3 : Isa. 14:5
- Psalm 125:3 : Isa. 30:30
- Psalm 125:3 : See Ps. 16:5
- Psalm 125:3 : Gen. 3:22; Ex. 22:8
- Psalm 125:4 : Ps. 119:68
- Psalm 125:4 : See Ps. 7:10
- Psalm 125:5 : See Ps. 40:4
- Psalm 125:5 : Prov. 2:15
- Psalm 125:5 : Ps. 92:7, 9; 94:4
- Psalm 125:5 : Ps. 128:6; Gal. 6:16
125 Those who (B)trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
which (C)cannot be moved, but abides forever.
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so (D)the Lord surrounds his people,
from this time forth and forevermore.
3 For (E)the scepter of wickedness shall not (F)rest
on (G)the land allotted to the righteous,
lest the righteous (H)stretch out
their hands to do wrong.
4 (I)Do good, O Lord, to those who are good,
and to those who are (J)upright in their hearts!
5 But those who (K)turn aside to their (L)crooked ways
the Lord will lead away with (M)evildoers!
(N)Peace be upon Israel!
Cross references
- Psalm 125:1 : [See Ps. 120, title]
- Psalm 125:1 : Ps. 25:2, 3
- Psalm 125:1 : Ps. 93:1; 104:5; [Prov. 10:30]
- Psalm 125:2 : [2 Kgs. 6:17; Zech. 2:5]
- Psalm 125:3 : Isa. 14:5
- Psalm 125:3 : Isa. 30:30
- Psalm 125:3 : See Ps. 16:5
- Psalm 125:3 : Gen. 3:22; Ex. 22:8
- Psalm 125:4 : Ps. 119:68
- Psalm 125:4 : See Ps. 7:10
- Psalm 125:5 : See Ps. 40:4
- Psalm 125:5 : Prov. 2:15
- Psalm 125:5 : Ps. 92:7, 9; 94:4
- Psalm 125:5 : Ps. 128:6; Gal. 6:16
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
The lives of God’s people can feel very shaky. But if we could see ourselves from God’s perspective, we would realize that we who trust in the Lord are like an immovable mountain. Not only that, but we are surrounded on all sides by God’s protection (2), which means that we have a defense against every possible kind of trouble.
“The scepter of the wicked” refers to wicked leaders. The Psalmist reassures us that they will not hold their power for long (3). Bad leaders can lead their people to become crooked as well (5), but God will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear. So we can stand firm and be patient, fighting the temptation to sin out of frustration. We should pray like the Psalmist did, that good things will come to those who trust God even in bad situations (4).
Prayer: Father, thank you that you surround your people with your protection and do not allow the wicked to rule for long. Help me use my hands to do good no matter what.
One Word: The Lord surrounds his people.
