Psalms of Ascents: Psalm 125

The Psalms of Ascent are a set of fifteen psalms that were traditionally sung as priests entered the temple, and Jews journeyed to the Holy Land to celebrate the Passover Festival. They offer hope, encouragement, and peace in a time of uncertainty. Today we will read and discuss Psalm 125, the sixth psalm in the psalms of ascents.

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Psalm 125 is an incredibly powerful reminder of just how powerful God’s provision is, as long as we trust in Him.

Psalm 125

A song of ascents. 1 Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,which cannot be shaken but endures forever.2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,so the Lord surrounds his peopleboth now and forevermore. 3 The scepter of the wicked will not remainover the land allotted to the righteous,for then the righteous might usetheir hands to do evil. 4 Lord, do good to those who are good,to those who are upright in heart.5 But those who turn to crooked waysthe Lord will banish with the evildoers. Peace be on Israel.

Let’s start with a quick geography lesson: Mount Zion wasn’t the highest mountain, but it was home to Jerusalem, the Holy Land.

Mount Zion was surrounded by other higher mountains on all sides: Mount of Olives to the east, Mount Scopus to the north, and other hills to the west and south.

Bottom line: Mount Zion was strongly fortified on all sides. That’s how God’s protection is for us.

Verse 2 promises us that, as the mountains surround Jerusalem, the Lord surrounds His people.

The promise of verse 2 is dependent on the trust of the Lord in verse 1.

The scepter, or rod of the wicked is a symbol of authority or rule. The psalmist reminds us that the Lord will not let wicked people remain in control over the righteous ones. We may face trouble, but it won’t last.

Peace will come.