Psalms · Chapter 125 of 150

Psalm 125

The security of the righteous. · Prayer for them, The ruin of the wicked.

1A Song of degrees. They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever. 2As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even for ever. 3For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.

4Do good, O Lord, unto those that be good, and to them that are upright in their hearts. 5As 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.

King James Version (1769) · public domain

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Psalm 125 commentary

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706), public domain.

Verses 1-3

All those minds shall be truly stayed, that are stayed on God. They shall be as Mount Zion, firm as it is; a mountain supported by providence, much more as a holy mountain supported by promise. They cannot be removed from confidence in God. They abide for ever in that grace which is the earnest of their everlasting continuance in glory. Committing themselves to God, they shall be safe from their enemies. Even mountains may moulder and come to nothing, and rocks be removed, but God's covenant with his people cannot be broken, nor his care of them cease. Their troubles shall last no longer than their strength will bear them up under them. The rod of the wicked may come, may fall upon the righteous, upon their persons, their estates, their liberties, their families names, on any thing that falls to their lot; only it cannot reach their souls. And though it may come upon their lot, it shall not rest thereon. The Lord will make all work together for their good. The wicked shall only prove a correcting rod, not a destroying sword; even this rod shall not remain upon them, lest they distrust the promise, thinking God has cast them off.

Verses 4-5

God's promises should quicken our prayers. The way of holiness is straight; there are no windings or shiftings in it. But the ways of sinners are crooked. They shift from one purpose to another, and turn hither and thither to deceive; but disappointment and misery shall befal them. Those who cleave to the ways of God, though they may have trouble in their way, their end shall be peace. The pleading of their Saviour for them, secures to them the upholding power and preserving grace of their God. Lord, number us with them, in time, and to eternity.

Key verses in Psalm 125

  • Psalms 125:1

    A Song of degrees. They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.

  • Psalms 125:2

    As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.

  • Psalms 125:5

    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.

  • Psalms 125:3

    For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.

  • Psalms 125:4

    Do good, O Lord, unto those that be good, and to them that are upright in their hearts.