Psalm 125 (NIV)
A song of ascents.
Like the other psalms in the series of 15 Songs of Ascent, this psalm was especially appropriate for those pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem for one of the three annual major feasts of Israel. As they sang, they remembered that from the temple on Mount Zion, the Lord provides protection for His people.
1 Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
which cannot be shaken but endures forever.
The pilgrim who came from afar was impressed with the stature and standing of Mount Zion, the prominent hill upon which Jerusalem is established. The one who believes and trusts in the LORD is promised the same security and he or she abides forever. Our place in His love, His new life, and His gracious purpose lasts forever and cannot be moved.
· Some people are like the sand, ever shifting and unstable (Matthew 7:26).
· Some people are like the sea, restless and unsettled (James 1:6).
· Some people are like the wind, uncertain and inconsistent (Ephesians 4:14).
· “Believers are like a mountain—strong, stable, and secure.” (Spurgeon)
–David Guzik
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the Lord surrounds his people
both now and forevermore.
“Jehovah is our rock foundation, our encompassing protection, our enthroned King. In Him is all our strength and confidence.”
–G. Campbell Morgan
3 The scepter of the wicked will not remain
over the land allotted to the righteous,
for then the righteous might use
their hands to do evil.
4 Lord, do good to those who are good,
to those who are upright in heart.
The greatness of the revelation of the gospel of Jesus Christ is that God did good for those who are not good. We remember that in due time Christ died for the ungodly (Romans 5:6) and God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).
–David Guzik
The good people here are those who have been saved by faith and who walk in obedience to the Lord. Their uprightness is not the basis of their salvation, but is the fruit of their trust and obedience.
–William MacDonald
5 But those who turn to crooked ways
the Lord will banish with the evildoers.
Peace be on Israel.
Shalom, shalom!
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Music:
HERE is “Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation,” (what a beautiful introduction to the hymn by the organist here!) a 6th century Latin hymn that was translated into English in the mid-1800’s by John Mason Neale, an Anglican priest, scholar, and hymn-writer. Neale had all the qualifications of a good translator. He was not only an excellent classical scholar in the ordinary sense of the term, but he was also positively steeped in medieval Latin. An anecdote illustrates this—
Dr. Neale was invited by Mr. Keble and the Bishop of Salisbury to assist them with their new hymnal, and for this purpose he paid a visit to Hursley Parsonage. On one occasion Mr. Keble, having to go to another room to find some papers, was detained a short time. On his return Dr. Neale said, ‘Why, Keble, I thought you told me that the “Christian Year” was entirely original.’ ‘Yes,’ he answered, ‘it certainly is.’ ‘Then how comes this?’ and Dr. Neale placed before him the Latin of one of Keble’s hymns. Keble professed himself utterly confounded. He protested that he had never seen this ‘original,’ no, not in all his life. After a few minutes Neale relieved him by owning that he had just turned it into Latin in his absence.”
–hymnary.org
Other examples of Neale’s hymn translations include “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” “All Glory, Laud, and Honor” and “Of the Father’s Love Begotten.”
1 Christ is made the sure foundation,
Christ the head and cornerstone,
chosen of the Lord, and precious,
binding all the church in one,
Holy Zion’s help for ever,
and her confidence alone.
2 All that dedicated city,
dearly loved of God on high,
in exultant jubilation
pours perpetual melody;
God the One in Three adoring
in glad hymns eternally.
3 To this temple, where we call You,
come, O Lord of Hosts, today:
with accustomed lovingkindness,
hear Your servants as they pray;
and Your fullest benediction
shed within its walls alway.
4 Lord, here grant to all Your servants
what they ask of You to gain,
what they gain from You, forever
with the blessed to retain,
and hereafter in Your glory
evermore with You to reign.
5 Praise and honor to the Father,
praise and honor to the Son,
praise and honor to the Spirit,
ever Three, and ever One,
one in might, and one in glory,
while unending ages run.
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DWELLING in the Word 
