King James Version
Psalms 125
5 verses with commentary
Those Who Trust in the Lord
A Song of degrees. They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.
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KJV Study Commentary
The psalm begins with a confidence declaration using Mount Zion imagery: 'They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.' The subject 'they that trust' makes faith the defining characteristic of God's people. Trust (Hebrew 'batach') means confident reliance, not mere intellectual assent. The comparison to 'mount Zion' invokes Jerusalem's geograph...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
4. Join joyfully in His public worship. The terms are, of course, figurative (compare Psa 84:2; 92:13; Is 66:23).
**Enter--**or, "Come with solemnity" (Psa 95:6).
As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.
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KJV Study Commentary
The protective imagery continues: 'As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.' This verse employs geographic reality as theological metaphor. Jerusalem is naturally surrounded by mountains (Mount of Olives to east, Mount Scopus to north, Hinnom Valley hills to south and west), creating a protective amphitheater. The comparison '...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(2) **As the mountains.**—In the first verse, the *stability *of the faithful is compared to that of Mount Zion; here their *security *to that of the city girt by its hills. (On the geographical reference, see Dean Stanley, *S*. *and P*., pp. 174, 175.) Robinson’s description is—“The sacred city lies upon the broad and high mountain range, which is shut in by the two valleys, Jehoshaphat and Hinno...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
5. The reason: God's eternal mercy and truth (Psa 25:8; 89:7).
For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity. the wicked: Heb. wickedness
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KJV Study Commentary
A specific aspect of protection is addressed: 'For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.' The word 'for' provides explanation for God's surrounding presence (v. 2). The 'rod of the wicked' represents oppressive rule, unjust authority, or cruel governance by ungodly powers. 'Shall not rest' promises that wicked do...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3) **Rod.**—The imagery of this unusually long verse is peculiar. The “rod of the wicked,” or “of wickedness,” is the *heathen sceptre, *and the righteous are the Israelites who hold fast to the religion of their fathers. This sceptre now rests—a word expressing the presence of tyranny—upon the Holy Land; but this is not for a continuance. God will not suffer the tyranny to last, lest the righteo...
Read full commentary →Do good, O LORD, unto those that be good, and to them that are upright in their hearts.
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KJV Study Commentary
A prayer for divine favor follows: 'Do good, O LORD, unto those that be good, and to them that are upright in their hearts.' The imperative 'do good' is bold yet appropriate - covenant people may appeal to God's goodness and justice. The Hebrew 'hatab' means to make well, deal bountifully, show goodness. The dual description of recipients ('those that be good' and 'those that are upright in their ...
Read full commentary →As 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.
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KJV Study Commentary
The psalm concludes with warning and blessing: 'As 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.' The phrase 'turn aside' indicates deliberate departure from righteousness. 'Crooked ways' (Hebrew 'aqalqalah') describes twisted, perverse paths that deviate from straight moral direction. The judgment 'LORD...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(5) **Turn aside unto their crooked ways.**—Or, *bend their crooked ways, i.e., *pursue evil courses.
**But peace.**—Better, as an innovation on the customary form, *peace be in Israel. *(See Note on Psalm 122:6, and comp. Psalm 128:6.)
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
PSALM 101 Psa 101:1-8. In this Psalm the profession of the principles of his domestic and political government testifies, as well as actions in accordance with it, David's appreciation of God's mercy to him, and His judgment on his enemies: and thus he sings or celebrates God's dealings.
2. He avows his sincere purpose, by God's aid, to act uprightly (Ge 17:1; Psa 18:30).