Psalm 125

A Bible Devotion from Psalm 125

Eternal Praise

125:1 Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
which cannot be moved, but abides forever.

2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the Lord surrounds his people,
from this time forth and forevermore.

3 For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest
on the land allotted to the righteous,
lest the righteous stretch out
their hands to do wrong.

4 Do good, O Lord, to those who are good,
and to those who are upright in their hearts!

5 But those who turn aside to their crooked ways
the Lord will lead away with evildoers!
Peace be upon Israel!

Psalm 125, NKJV

Psalm 125 is another Song of Ascents. The theme of this Psalm is expressed in the 1st verse: Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. We are creatures of time, so the concept of forever is actually a hard one to grasp. Look at this amazing promise of God. As children of God we have perfect protection all around us at all times; the Lord surrounds us like the mounstains surround Jerusalem, and will do so forever!

While on this earth we are affected by the evil all around us, but God will not allow that scepter of wickedness to rest upon us. This is another reminder that our salvation is not only secured by Christ, but it is kept by Christ, and will be forever. The tension we feel from the sin all around us and especially the struggle we ourselves have with sin will be with us while we are still here on earth, but then will disappear forever!

In verse 4 the Psalmist implores the Lord to do good to those who are good and upright in heart. Who are these people? Only the true children of God can be called good or upright, and as reminded in Psalm 124, the good and uprightness is viewed by God as such because He sees the shed blood of Christ covering our sins. We sometimes struggle with saying God is always good to us. It's easy to say that when everything is going well, but what about times when everything around you is crumbling? Yes, God is being good then, too! Do you understand that? Me neither, but I know it is true. We must say as the apostle Paul,

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God. How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! For who has know the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor! Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Romans 11:33-36

Psalm 125 ends with, Peace be upon Israel! Israel here refers to all the true believers in Christ. True peace is impossible outside of God; as a matter of fact, it is impossible in this world. True peace will not come until we are in heaven with the Lord. That peace will last forever!

Pray today that God would surround you as the mountains surround Jerusalem, and grant you peace and trust in Him.

Next: Psalm 126 - Bearing Precious See

More Devotions on the 125th Psalm from my blog, Daily Bible Devotions.

As Mount Zion, verses 1-2

Rod of the Wicked, verse 3

Two Camps, verses 4-5