Psalms — Chapter 125

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1They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.

2As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.

3For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.

4Do good, O LORD, unto those that be good, and to them that are upright in their hearts.

5As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: but peace shall be upon Israel.

1They that trust in Jehovah Are as mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abideth for ever.

2As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, So Jehovah is round about his people From this time forth and for evermore.

3For the sceptre of wickedness shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; That the righteous put not forth their hands unto iniquity.

4Do good, O Jehovah, unto those that are good, And to them that are upright in their hearts.

5But as for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, Jehovah will lead them forth with the workers of iniquity. Peace be upon Israel. Psalm 126 A Song of Ascents.

1A song of ascents. Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved and will endure forever.

2As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, now and forevermore.

3Indeed, the scepter of a wicked king will not settle upon the allotted land of the godly. Otherwise the godly might do what is wrong.

4Do good, O Lord, to those who are good, to the morally upright.

5As for those who are bent on traveling a sinful path, may the Lord remove them, along with those who behave wickedly. May Israel experience peace.

1Those who trust in Yahweh are as Mount Zion, which can’t be moved, but remains forever.

2As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so Yahweh surrounds his people from this time forward and forever more.

3For the scepter of wickedness won’t remain over the allotment of the righteous; so that the righteous won’t use their hands to do evil.

4Do good, Yahweh, to those who are good, to those who are upright in their hearts.

5But as for those who turn away to their crooked ways, Yahweh will lead them away with the workers of iniquity. Peace be on Israel.

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Videos
Reflection

Summary

A Song of Ascents (trust) — those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, immovable; the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the righteous; peace be upon Israel.

Authorship & Background

Author: Multiple authors — primarily David (73 psalms attributed), plus Asaph (12), Sons of Korah (11), Solomon (2), Moses (1), Heman (1), Ethan (1), and anonymous. The Psalter was compiled over approximately 1000 years and served as Israel's hymnal and prayer book. The book is divided into five 'books' (1-41, 42-72, 73-89, 90-106, 107-150), paralleling the five books of Moses. Key themes: worship, lament, praise, trust, kingship, creation, wisdom, Messianic prophecy, and the full range of human emotion brought before God.
Classification: Song of Ascents / Psalm of Trust Attributed Author: Anonymous (superscription: "A Song of degrees") Key Themes: The immovability of those who trust God, God surrounding His people like mountains, the scepter of wickedness will not remain, peace upon Israel
Historical Context: Psalm 125 is the sixth Song of Ascents — a psalm of quiet confidence. Its central image is geographical: Jerusalem is surrounded by mountains, and God surrounds His people just as those mountains surround the city. For a pilgrim who has walked through the hills to reach Jerusalem, this imagery is viscerally real — they can SEE the mountains encircling the city and understand the metaphor with their eyes. The psalm also addresses a danger: if wickedness rules too long, even the righteous might be tempted to do wrong (v.3). But God will not allow it.
Structure:
  • Immovability of the Faithful (v.1)
  • God as Surrounding Mountains (v.2)
  • Wickedness Won't Remain (v.3)
  • Prayer for the Good (vv.4-5)

Map & Geography

  • Zion (v.1): The hill on which Jerusalem/the Temple stood; often used poetically for God's dwelling.
  • Jerusalem (v.2): Capital of Judah; the holy city where the Temple stood.

Videos

The Bible Project — Psalms Overview

Reflection

  • 1. Trust makes you a mountain (v.1). The trusting person is not shaken by circumstances — like Zion, they abide forever. Stability comes from trust, not from circumstances.
  • 2. God is around you on every side (v.2). Mountains don't have gaps. God's surrounding presence has no openings for the enemy to exploit. You are enclosed by His care.
  • 3. Wickedness has an expiration date (v.3). God won't let evil rule over you indefinitely. He limits its duration because He cares about your integrity, not just your survival.