The Book of Psalms

Psalm 125

Psalm CXXV · Vol. II, pp. 1069–1071

1 The safety of such as trust in God. 4 A prayer for the godly, and against the wicked.

Margin referencesNotes ↓

^aA song of degrees.

1 They ^bthat trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed,¹ but abideth for ever.

B.C. cir. 1020.

a Ps.cxx.-cxxxiv. titles.

b Ps.25.2; 31.1; 34.22; 62.2,6. Pr.10.25. Mat.16.18. 1 Pe.1.5. Is.45.17.

1 The psalmist does not mean to assert the physical impossibility of removing Mount Zion, for mightier works have been accomplished by human perseverance; but the moral impossibility, because it is still providentially guarded by the deep-rooted conviction of its sacred character.—C.

2 As^c the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth, even for ever.

c Zec.2.5. Ps.91.1-9. De.33.27. Jn.?10.28,29. Jude 1. Col.3.3.

3 For^d the rod of the wicked² shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.

d Pr.22.8. Is.10.5; 14.5,6. Ps.103.9,14. De.32.35,36. 1 Co.10.13. Re.2.10.

2 Heb. wickedness.

4 Do^e good, O LORD, unto those that be good, and to them that are upright in their hearts.

e Ps.84.11; 34.9,10; 51.18; 73.1. Ro.8.28. 2 Co.4.17,18. La.3.25.

5 As^g for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: ^hbut peace shall be upon Israel.

g Pr.14.14. Je.2.19. He.10.38. Mat.24.51; 25.41,46. 2 Th.1.8,9.

A.M. cir. 2984. B.C. cir. 1020.

h Ps.128.6. Gal.6.16. Eze.34.25; 37.26. Ho.2.18. Is.54.10,13; 9.7.

**MOUNT OF OLIVES—OVER WHICH CHRIST WALKED TO THE HOME OF MARY AND MARTHA. [Psalms, cxxv:2.]** "As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even forever." East of the valley of Jehoshaphat rises the Mount of Olives. This is one of the mountains which the Psalmist refers to as standing round about Jerusalem. There are a number of olive trees still found upon the mountain, and upon its western base is a cluster of ancient ones known throughout the world to indicate the Garden of Gethsemane. The top of this mountain is held by many to be the place where the Savior left the earth, and his footsteps are still shown to those who are willing to believe extraordinary things. According to the Scripture, Christ ascended from Bethany. From the top of the Mount of Olives we have the most commanding view of the city of Jerusalem.

Notes

Ver. 2. Jerusalem stands on the summit of a broad mountain ridge, which is broken into a wilderness of bare crowns of limestone, separated by deep ravines. Upon two of these crowns, Zion and Moriah, the ancient city was founded; and these two were bounded on the east by the valley of Kidron, and on the west and south by Hinnom. All around the site are loftier summits—nothing approaching to mountains, but rounded, irregular ridges, overtopping the buildings of the city from 50 to 200 ft. Thus it is that 'the mountains are round about Jerusalem.' P.

Ver. 3. Righteous. Those who, by faith of Jesus Christ, are endowed and clothed with 'the righteousness of God,' Phi.3.9. C.

Reflections.—Happy are they who trust in the Lord! Immovable is their spiritual state. They are established, guarded, and protected by God; and, in performance of his promise, he will supply them with everything good. But dreadful and lasting is their misery who apostatize from him to the paths of wickedness!