Psalms 125
by Pastor Mark Hudson
This psalm almost demands that we view Jerusalem from the vantage point of a person coming up to Jerusalem. The perspective is not from inside Jerusalem but from one outside approaching the city looking at the mountains surrounding the city nestled among the crags. The author then says all who trust in the Lord, i.e., any believer anywhere at any time or place, is a secure as this holy city. Notice the permanence of the city: “which cannot be moved, but abides forever.” You can’t move a city unless a flood carries it away. But that is not a concern for Jerusalem. You can move a house, one can move a business, and we can move our family. But Jerusalem was not going to be moved.
The author does not look at the city and merely see a city. When he looks at this city, he is reminded that as secure as this city is, so God’s people are secure in the love, grace, and protection of God. So, when the Psalmist says, at the end of verse 1, “abides forever” does he mean Jerusalem or believers? Or both? So, there is a kind of security that comes from not moving, or being stable, immovable.
The next kind of security is being surrounding by God. Clearly these saints loved the city of Jerusalem, but they didn’t love it the way someone loves New Orleans because they are from NOLA. Rather, they loved Jerusalem because God’s presence was there at the temple. Any mature believer knew God could be everywhere at once since He was a Spirit. But they also knew the promises God made to His people that He would dwell with His people at the temple (II Sam 7:13; II Chr. 5:14; 6:2). But as Solomon prayed, there is an inherent tension of talking this way about God. “But will God indeed dwell with man on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you, how much less this house that I have built” II Chr. 6:18. So Jerusalem and God’s presence shared a unique relationship.
Therefore, the pilgrim saints were so happy to see Jerusalem. They viewed Jerusalem through a spiritual prism. The dirt, stones, water, and sky were no different than anywhere else. But then, in a way, they were. Not intrinsically but Jerusalem is the city God chose. God made Jerusalem different. The Psalmist is saying something about His people that is more profound and more spiritually significant. The Lord surrounds His people wherever they are. God is not tied to a city; He is connected to His people, voluntarily and with all the benefits from His holy presence. And He will never leave them, “From this time forth and forever.”
The wicked or ungodly will not harm His people beyond what He allows. This cannot mean the righteous (those who trust in the Lord v. 1) will not be afflicted or suffer harm. But the scepter of wickedness shall not rest upon the land. We are not able to understand exactly what resting is when believers are killed, raped, or abused. This is difficult for a believer to wrestle with and to conclude with certainty. But God knows there is a point that people will begin to take matters into their own hands or “stretch out their hands to do wrong.” God is more than cognizant of our afflictions; He manages and oversees all that happens to us. Everything that happens to us is filtered through His hands.
In verse 4, he prays for God’s blessings on those who are good or to those who are upright in heart or “those who trust in the Lord” v. 1. These are synonyms. If you trust in the Lord (v. 1) , you will do good (v. 4) and you are righteous (v. 3) and upright (v. 4). No one who is believer will continually disobey God’s word. If you believer, you will obey. Isn’t the prayer in v. 4 for us to pray? Bless those who know and love You is our constant prayer. God’s blessings are not new cars, a bigger home, or a bigger paycheck. His greatest blessing is more of Himself, deeper communion with Him with results in deeper joy.
This is not the way of the evildoers. They are lead away by God. Those who turn away from God, who turn aside, turn to their crooked ways. They are perverse. We do not know if v. 5 refers to those within the covenant community or from without. But they are included with the evildoers. The way the Psalmist words this: “those who turn aside” may imply these are within the believing community but it is hard to say. Whoever they are and what they look on the outside, God knows their hearts. Where God “leads” evildoers is not any place one would want to go.
Dear heavenly Father, we are secure in Your hands. You protect us and provide for us. All that You do is good and all You are is good. Your ability to surround is unlimited nor is there any rival to Your throne. You reign and rule over Your people that You have saved. You also reign over those who do not love You. There is no getting away from Your presence. You are everywhere at once seeing, hearing, and knowing all.
Thank You that You understand that we can only take so much affliction. You know that the strength we need and ask You for barely registers compared to others who are persecuted around the world. While those enduring persecution demand more from You daily and receive great blessings, You give everyone everything they need. Indeed, You will do good to those who are good. We praise Your most glorious and holy Name both now and forever. We pray for the honor of Christ. Amen.