INTRODUCTION - Read Psalm 125
"We can imagine the pilgrims chanting this song when walking through the city walls." Charles Spurgeon
When the Pilgrims headed toward Jerusalem, one thing was certain: Mount Zion would be there when they arrived, and the Temple where they could worship their Father God.
Psalm 25 is full of God's "promises", but these also come with conditions. God doesn't want your "split devotion" - half heartedness - He wants our total TRUST and this is the "basis for our relationship with God".
TRUST IN THE LORD and HE WILL PROTECT YOU - Read Verses 1&2
"Those who TRUST IN THE LORD are like Mt Zion, which cannot be moved (shaken), but endures forever." Psalm 125:1 (NIV/NLT)
"We can't properly put our TRUST IN THE LORD, until we remove our TRUST in other things. He alone is our REFUGE AND STRENGTH." David Guzik
TRUST IN THE LORD means that we "BELIEVE" IN HIM, knowing that our Father God will care for us and meet our needs. In this 1st Verse in Psalm 125, God "agrees to give help" to His people, if they will LOVE AND OBEY HIM. The mountain called Zion was in the city of Jerusalem, and was surrounded by other mountains. We know that God is near us and will protect us, just like "the mountains were always near Jerusalem".
"Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people, both now and forever." Psalm 125:2 (NLT)
The pilgrims who came to Jerusalem from afar, were impressed with the stature of Mount Zion. It was a prominent hill in which Jerusalem was established. The one who believes and trusts in the Lord is promised the "same security", as he or she "abides forever".
"God promised to not only be present with His people, but also to be all around them. God surrounded His people, so that nothing could get to them, unless it first passed through Him"
David Guzik
Don't ever seperate the TRUST in Verse 1 with GOD'S PROTECTION in Verse 2. Remember, that TRUST is a condition. There were times in Israel's history when they failed to trust God, "worshipping other gods and other people" , putting their trust in their own "wisdom and strength." In those days they were "not protected". This is when Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 BC, and then later by General Titus and his thousands of Roman Troops in AD 70.
With this "history of destruction" is seems "some what misguided" to use the "permanence of Mt Zion" as a "simile for the security of God's people". Yet we know that there is a city in Heaven, a new Jerusalem that can "never be toppled". This is the Mount Zion that will stand forever, and this is what the Psalmist may have be thinking about. I can't wait till I get to Heaven, and like the disciple John, can set my eyes on the New Jerusalem.
"I saw the Holy City, the New Jerusalem........and I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: "Look's God's dwelling place is now among the people, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God." Revelation 21:2&3 (NIV)
"But you have come to Mt Zion, to the city of the Living God, the Heavenly Jerusalem. You have to thousands upon thousands of angels in Heaven......Therefore, since you are receiving a Kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful and worship God with reverance." Hebrews 12:22&28 (NIV)
"As followers of Christ, our HOPE is not tied to anything in this world. It is much more secure than that. God's surrounding protection will be with believers forever, even as Jesus promised His presence to His peope to the end of the age." John Greco
"And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:20 (NLT)
GOD'S PROMISES TO HIS GOOD PEOPLE -
Read Verses 3&4
"The sceptor of the wicked will not remain over the land allotted to the RIGHTEOUS for then the righteous might use their hands for to do evil." Psalm 125:3 (NIV)
Psalm 125:4 (NLT)
This is the PROMISE that God gave to his people when they TRUSTED IN HIM. The Lord is righteous, and so he wants His people to be righteous too. He wants them to follow His will and His ways. When we live upright lives, we can be sure that God is always with us. Under the Old Covenant there was a "blessing for God's people", the Israelites, but their was also a "curse for the wicked." The Psalmist pictures these "workers of iniquity" being led out to Babylon, the land of exile.
As I have been reading in the book of Jeremiah, God's people didn't always follow God's will. Many of their kings were "evil and wicked", and led them astray. They were punished by God and the Babylonians, who led them into exile and captivity. Still, God promised that He would bring them back to His land, Jerusalem, and their Temple and city woud be rebuilt.
"In all history there has never been such a time of terror. It will be a time of trouble for my people Israel. Yet, in the end, THEY WILL BE SAVED! ....."So do not be afraid, Jacob my servant, do not be dismayed, Israel", says the Lord, "For I will bring you home again from distant lands, and your children will return from their exile. Israel will return to a LIFE OF PEACE AND QUIET, and no one will terrorize them. For I AM WITH YOU AND WILL SAVE YOU."
Jeremiah 30:7,10&11 (NLT)
"There are POWERFUL, PRECIOUS PROMISES made in this Psalm, but they are CONDITIONAL PROMISES, dependent of God's people's RELATIONSHIP OF TRUST and that they live as a RIGHTEOUS (GOOD) PEOPLE in the land that was allotted to them." David Guzik
We cannot, of course, believe that if we TRUST GOD and endeavour to LIVE RIGHTEOUS LIVES, that we will not have TROUBLE. But we know that these will all be in the "wisdom and plan of God", and as Paul reminds us:
"We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
"O Lord, do GOOD to those who are GOOD, whose hearts are in tune with You." Psalm 125:4
CONCLUSION - PEACE BE UPON ISRAEL - Read Verse 5
Psalm 125 ends in a PRAYER pronouncing PEACE (SHALOM) upon Israel. This prayer was from a righteous man - the Psalmist - and God was pleased with him. It was a prayer of PRAISE and WORSHIP, bringing joy to the Father and His Son Jesus.
"Finally, the Poet stretched out his hands over all Israel, as if blessing them like a Priest. He embraces ALL HIS HOPES, petitions and wishes in one prayer , 'PEACE BE UPON ISRAEL!"
Alexander MacLaren - cited by David Guzik
"Let not your heart be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me..... PEACE I LEAVE WITH YOU; MY PEACE I GIVE TO YOU. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:1&27 (NLT/NIV)
"When you are troubled and stressed, call upon the Lord and and review this Psalm. then hand your troubles over to God." Max Lucado
The PEACE that God gives is CONFIDENCE that He is WATCHING, DIRECTING AND CARING for those who TRUST IN HIM.
"Psalm 25 - Show Me Your Ways", Psalm Project (2021), You Tube
"A Song for Peace (Shir La Shalom)"Shiri Maimon (2014), Israel1.org/You Tube
"The Holy Bible - New International Version", 2011, Biblica
"The Holy Bible - New Living Translation", 2015, Tyndale House Publishing
GUZIK, David, "Psalm 125 - As the Mountains Surround Jerusalem.", 2020, www.enduringword.com
GRECO, John, "The Songs of Ascent - A Devotional Adventure in the Book of Psalms", 2023, You Version
LUCADO, Max, "New Century Version Devotional Nelsonvilleble - Experience the Heart of Jesus", 2003, Thomas Nelson
SPURGEON, Charles, "The Treasury of David - Commentary on Psalms", 1885/2021, Christianity.com
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