Chapter 125: God Protects the Nation

Regarding the genre of this psalm, VanGemeren writes, “Scholars are divided in classifying the genre between a communal psalm of confidence and a communal lament.”^[1] Estes^[2] agrees, but leans toward lament. Later, he writes, “The key theme of Psalm 125 is that the security of the Lord’s people rests on his sovereign, righteous rule over the world.”^[3]

(125:1) Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.

“Cannot be shaken.” Our faith in God makes us immovable—like a mountain. VanGemeren writes, “Mount Zion is more than a hill. It symbolizes God’s help (cf. 121:1-2; 124:8), his presence in blessing and protecting his people (76:6-9; 132:13-16), and the privileges of the covenantal relationship.”^[4] Estes writes, “Trusting in the Lord provides stability for life, just as the bedrock of Mount Zion provides stability for the city of Jerusalem.”^[5]

(125:2) As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people both now and forevermore.

“The LORD surrounds his people now and forevermore.” God’s protection of the believer like a stable, secure, and eternal mountain.

(125:3) 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.

“Scepter.” This represents the political rule of the nations (cf. Isa. 14:5).

“The wicked will not remain over the land.” God won’t allow the nations to rule over Israel forever. If God allowed the unrighteous to occupy the land, then the believers would need to fight to regain control of the land. This warfare could lead to doing “evil.”

(125:4-5) LORD, do good to those who are good, to those who are upright in heart. ⁵ But those who turn to crooked ways the LORD will banish with the evildoers. Peace be on Israel.

Instead of fighting for themselves, the psalmist trusts in God to fight for the people and judge the wicked. God will judge so that there can be peace in the land of Israel.

^[1] Willem A. VanGemeren, “Psalms,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 5 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1991), 787.

^[2] Daniel J. Estes, Psalms 73–150, ed. E. Ray. Clendenen, vol. 13, New American Commentary (Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group, 2019), 469.

^[3] Daniel J. Estes, Psalms 73–150, ed. E. Ray. Clendenen, vol. 13, New American Commentary (Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group, 2019), 472.

^[4] Willem A. VanGemeren, “Psalms,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 5 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1991), 787.

^[5] Daniel J. Estes, Psalms 73–150, ed. E. Ray. Clendenen, vol. 13, New American Commentary (Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group, 2019), 470.