Bible Commentaries

PSALM 125

THE ARGUMENT

This Psalm was designed for the consolation and encouragement of God’s church and people in all ages, against all the plots and malice of their enemies.

The stedfastness of such as trust in God, Psalms 125:1-3. A prayer for the godly to do them good, and against the ungodly to destroy them, Psalms 125:4,5.

Removed, or, overthrown, by any winds or storms; partly because of its own greatness and strength; and partly because of the Divine protection afforded to it.

As the mountains are round about Jerusalem; by which it was defended both from stormy winds and from the assaults of its enemies.

The rod of the wicked; the power and authority of cruel tyrants.

Shall not rest; not continue for ever, nor too long.

Upon the lot of the righteous; upon the habitations and persons of good men.

Lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity; lest through human frailty and the great weight or long continuance of their troubles they should be driven to impatience, or to despair, or to use indirect and sinful courses to relieve themselves.

As thou hast promised to keep thy people from evil, Psalms 125:3, be pleased also to vouchsafe unto them those blessings which are good for them. Or thus, having declared God’s tender care of his people, and his promise made to them, he now prayeth for the execution of the said promises.

But those hypocrites, who either through fear of the rod, mentioned Psalms 125:3, or for other considerations, shall turn aside from the ways of God, which for a time they professed and seemed to own, unto sinful courses, whom he opposeth to the upright, Psalms 125:4, the Lord shall lead them forth, to wit, unto punishment, as malefactors are commonly led to the place of execution.

With the workers of iniquity; with the most obstinate and profligate sinners, of whose plagues they shall certainly partake, as they did of their sins.

Upon Israel; upon the true Israel of God.